LOS ANGELES – Metrolink publicly shared its switch to renewable fuel, on April 13, 2022, making the agency the first in the nation to completely power all its locomotives by the cleaner burning alternative. The agency began using only renewable fuel in February.
“It’s a proud achievement to be the first rail agency in the nation to use renewable fuel to move people around Southern California,” Metrolink Board Chair Ara Najarian says. “We are committed to continue working toward better air quality in our region and lessening our effect on climate change for the planet.”
The renewable product is made of recycled natural fats and vegetable oils. It contains no petroleum fossil fuels and thus burns cleaner reducing harmful pollutants and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions of carbon dioxide by up to 80%.
“This transition by Metrolink to using renewable fuel will help further reduce the air pollutants from our locomotives and improve the air quality for all the communities along our 538 miles of track,” says Metrolink Board Vice Chair Larry McCallon, who is also a member of the South Coast Air Quality Management District’s Governing Board. “It is certainly the right thing that we needed to do for the health of our children and our quality of life.”
“Metrolink is committed to protecting the environment, embracing social responsibility and creating economic vitality for our region,” Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle says. “Our board-approved Climate Action Plan paved the way to this moment, and it is the first step toward our zero-emissions future.”
Metrolink is Southern California’s regional passenger rail service with 538 miles of track across Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
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