NS to Establish Vent and Burn Workshop
Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 21 announced that it will convene a Vent and Burn Workshop “to integrate key learnings for the betterment of any future scenario where a vent and burn may be necessary.”
Environmental Protection Agency
Nine Trade Associations Ask EPA to Meet November Deadline for 2026 RFS Volumes
Nine trade associations, including the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR), on April 29 sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator
Industry Groups Urge EPA to Deny CARB Rule
Industry groups are calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject an authorization request from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to implement a regulation that was finalized last year,
Commentary
Supporting the Drive to Net Zero Emissions by 2050
ASLRRA PERSPECTIVE, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2024 ISSUE: Short line railroads are in business to provide shippers with reliable and competitive transportation service. Doing so requires constant attention to improving operating practices, upgrading infrastructure, and maintaining safety. While that is by necessity their focus, a growing number of short lines are also devoting serious time and resources to maximizing the environmental advantages inherent in rail transportation.
DOE Releases RFI to Achieve Rail Sector Decarbonization (UPDATED, 1/17)
Recognizing that the rail sector generates 2% of U.S. transportation greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the Department of Energy (DOE) on Nov. 17 released a Request for Information (RFI) to understand applicable decarbonization strategies.
EPA Eyes Air Emissions Reporting Requirement Revisions (UPDATED 11/27)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to its Air Emissions Reporting Requirements, which would involve state, local and certain tribal air agencies providing emissions data using different approaches and owners/operators of some facilities reporting additional emissions data. Update: The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has submitted comments in response to the proposal.
New EPA Rule Will No Longer ‘Categorically Preempt’ State Locomotive Regs
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is finalizing revisions to its regulations addressing preemption of state and local regulation of locomotives and engines used in locomotives.
EPA Eyes Air Emissions Reporting Requirement Revisions
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing changes to its Air Emissions Reporting Requirements, which would involve state, local and certain tribal air agencies providing emissions data using different approaches and owners/operators of some facilities reporting additional emissions data.
Biden Administration Releases U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization
The Biden Administration has released the U.S. National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization, “a landmark interagency framework of strategies and actions to remove all emissions from the transportations sector by 2050,” the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced Jan. 10.
NJ Transit Authorizes Contract with Foley-Caterpillar for ALP-45 Maintenance Work
NJ Transit’s Board of Directors on Dec. 14 approved a contract with Piscataway, N.J.-based Foley-Caterpillar to perform key state-of-good-repair maintenance on the engines of its ALP-45 fleet, which will allow the dual-powered locomotives to “maintain their current Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tier III emissions standards and continue the environmental benefits they provide compared to the older locomotives they replaced.”