The Last Thing America Needs Is a Railroad Monopoly
President Trump has made one thing clear: American Energy Dominance is back. From reopening federal lands for production to rebuilding critical infrastructure, this administration is cutting red tape and restoring the strength of America’s energy supply chain.
But now, a proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern threatens to undo that progress. Power The Future (PTF) is urging the Surface Transportation Board to reject the deal, warning it would consolidate power, reduce competition, and drive up costs for energy producers who depend on rail to move America’s fuel.
“More competition means lower prices—period. Every American understands when a few big players control the market, consumers are stuck paying the price,” said Daniel Turner, Founder and Executive Director of Power The Future. “At a time when families are working to recover from years of record energy costs, we can’t afford a merger that could drive up prices and weaken the supply chain. Coal, oil, and natural gas all utilize rail transportation to power our nation and limiting options for producers isn’t the answer.”
If approved, the combined company would control nearly half of all U.S. rail traffic, a move that would choke competition and hand enormous power to one corporate giant. That’s the opposite of what’s needed to achieve true energy independence.
Under President Trump, America is rebuilding the backbone of its energy economy. The Surface Transportation Board should stand with American workers and keep our railways open, competitive, and built for energy dominance, not monopoly control.
October 15, 2025