A railroad train crossing sign is pictured in Helena, Montana on Aug. 12, 2025. (Jordan Hansen / Daily Montanan)

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway officials told lawmakers they would “dig in” to solve utility easement concerns raised by leaders of multiple cities and organizations — but also defended its “good outcomes” and said the easement process is complicated.

Those problems, raised at an earlier meeting of the Legislature’s Energy and Technology Interim Committee, include high fees for permits and a lack of consistent communication from the company on active projects.

City officials from four different Montana towns have brought issues to the Legislature.

Several BNSF employees spoke to the committee on Tuesday. The issue of easements, which also touches the state’s efforts to

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