Opinion ID: 390017
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Consolidated Appeal of Denial of Injunctive Relief

Text: 76 On the court's own motion, Cause No. 79-1676 has been consolidated with BN's present petition for review. This cause involves Iowa Power's attempt to secure injunctive relief against BN's attempted breach of the parties' rate agreement. 77 In a decision filed February 12, 1980, a divided panel of this court ruled that the court could, by means of injunction, prevent BN from breaching its agreement with Iowa Power. Iowa Power and Light Co. v. Burlington Northern, Inc., No. 79-1676 (Feb. 12, 1980). On March 21, 1980, however, the court granted the railroad's petition for rehearing in that case. 78 While the petition for rehearing was pending, the Commission sought and received a remand of its July, 1979 decisions, thereby obtaining an opportunity to reconsider its refusal to enforce the agreed rate. Ultimately, the Commission on October 1, 1980 ordered BN to file within thirty-five days a rate consistent with the parties' agreement. 79 In view of the remand to the Commission and the ICC's October 1, 1980 decision enforcing the agreed rate, we have no reason to expect that injunctive relief is necessary to prevent BN's breach of contract. Interim events have completely eradicated the effect of the anticipated violation. Where these conditions are met, it is appropriate that we dismiss the case involving injunctive relief as moot. County of Los Angeles v. Davis, 440 U.S. 625, 631, 99 S.Ct. 1379, 1383, 59 L.Ed.2d 642 (1979); Great Western Sugar Co. v. Nelson, 442 U.S. 92, 99 S.Ct. 2149, 60 L.Ed.2d 735 (1979) (per curiam); United States v. Munsingwear, Inc., 340 U.S. 36, 39, 71 S.Ct. 104, 106, 95 L.Ed. 36 (1950). Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of the district court denying injunctive relief, dismiss Cause No. 79-1676 as moot, and remand the cause to the District Court for the Southern District of Iowa for entry of an order dismissing the action as moot. 28 80 Iowa Power's petitions for review in Causes 80-1914 and 80-1915 have been withdrawn with the court's permission. Burlington Northern's petition for review in Cause No. 80-1959 is denied.