Opinion ID: 186699
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: EIA Rate Forecast

Text: 46 Finally, BNSF objects to the Board's reliance, in estimating revenues available to the SARR, upon a rate forecast produced by the Energy Information Administration (EIA) of the United States Department of Energy in preference to either of the forecasts proffered by the parties. BNSF, invoking [f]undamental principles of administrative law and due process, argues it was entitled to advance notice that the Board would take official notice of extra-record evidence so it could parry its effect. See Union Elec. Co. v. FERC, 890 F.2d 1193, 1202-04 (D.C.Cir. 1989) (citation omitted). BNSF protested generally the use of the EIA data in its motion for reconsideration, but unlike the petitioner in Union Electric, did not make a good showing it [could] contest the evidence. 890 F.2d at 1203 (citing Market St. Ry. v. R.R. Comm'n, 324 U.S. 548, 562, 65 S.Ct. 770, 89 L.Ed. 1171 (1945)). In fact, the carrier failed to identify any flaw in the evidence or even to request an additional opportunity in which to do so. 47 Due process requires only a meaningful opportunity to challenge new evidence, Mathews v. Eldridge, 424 U.S. 319, 349, 96 S.Ct. 893, 47 L.Ed.2d 18 (1976), which opportunity BNSF failed to take in its application for rehearing. Cf. Opp. Cotton Mills, Inc. v. Adm'r of Wage & Hour Div., 312 U.S. 126, 152, 61 S.Ct. 524, 85 L.Ed. 624 (1941) (The demands of due process do not require a hearing, at the initial stage or at a particular point or at more than one point in an administrative proceeding so long as the requisite hearing is held before the final order becomes effective); Gutierrez-Rogue v. INS, 954 F.2d 769, 773 (D.C.Cir.1992) (an opportunity to rebut officially noticed facts satisfies due process). We have no occasion, therefore, to overturn the Board's decision on this ground.