WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing next week on proposed California regulations that would require the use of zero-emissions locomotives in the state beginning in 2030.
The California Air Resources Board approved the so-called in-use locomotive regulation last year. The EPA must review California regulations that exceed federal regulations; the agency can approve or reject the CARB proposal.
The CARB regulation would ban any locomotive that is 23 years or older from operating in California. The regulation sets dates after which all locomotives with engines built after certain years must operate in a “zero-emission configuration.” Railroads operating in California would have to begin contributing to a spending account where money would be set aside for the acquisition of zero-emission locomotives.
The Association of American Railroads opposes the regulation and has challenged it in federal court. The CARB regulation would mandate investments in locomotives that aren’t yet commercially viable while limiting the lifespans of more than 25,000 diesel-electric locomotives currently in use, the AAR says. The trade group also argues that the CARB regulation violates the Clean Air Act, would put some short line railroads out of business, and hurt the supply chain in California and beyond.
BNSF Railway says the CARB regulation threatens the viability of its proposed $1.5 billion Barstow International Gateway intermodal terminal. BNSF last week urged BIG project supporters to file comments with federal regulators.
“The California Air Resources Board has proposed well-intentioned but ill-conceived regulations that must be opposed to allow for workable clean technology to emerge,” BNSF said in an email to project supporters.
“The proposed ‘In-Use Locomotive Regulation’ would require zero-emission (such as electric) locomotives in California, which do not yet exist,” BNSF said. “Even worse, projects like the Barstow International Gateway would be canceled, unable to adhere to the new, costly, and misguided regulations.”
The EPA hearing will begin at 10 a.m. Eastern on March 20. Information on how to watch or participate in the virtual hearing is available online.
The agency is accepting written comments through April 22. Instructions for submitting comments are available online.
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