News from the Oklahoma Corporation
Commission
Phone: (405)
521-4180, FAX: (405) 522-1623, www.occ.state.ok.us
May 22, 2001
The OCC has had a number of
inquiries regarding the court hearing set for today at the Commission’s Tulsa
offices on the proposed closing of several railroad crossings.
It was inaccurately reported
by at least one media outlet that “the Corporation Commission will meet today”
on the railroad crossing issue. In
reality, the three Corporation Commissioners have nothing to do with today’s
hearing.
What is happening
today is part of the normal process when there is a request that a railroad
crossing be closed. A Commission Administrative Law Judge will hear the
arguments for and against the proposed closings. He will then make a finding in the matter (usually not on the
same day as the court hearing). That
finding will go to the Commission (the three Commissioners) within 30 days. The
Commissioners have the final say in the matter.
The
rail-crossings in question are located at 38th, 39th, 40th, 45th, 51st, 53rd
and 61st west avenues.
The case is being heard
today by Administrative Law Judge Charles Dudley. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. this morning in the Commission’s
Tulsa courtroom at 440 South Houston, Suite 114.
Judge Dudley is the
Commission’s only Transportation judge, and is based out of Oklahoma City.
Today’s hearing in Tulsa is part of the Commission’s on-going program to save
Oklahomans outside the OKC metro area a trip to the capitol whenever possible.
-occ-