Commentary

World Energy: ‘Chaos’ Is Just About Right

FINANCIAL EDGE, DECEMBER 2021 ISSUE: Now that the drama around the CP-KCS merger has finally subsided, the rail market has to occupy itself with other more mundane issues, such as the forward trajectory of coal loadings. Representing 12% of railcar loadings (even in its diminished state), coal remains a critical industry issue.

IAIS Signs on With SmartWay, Honors Founding Chair

Iowa Interstate Railroad, LLC (IAIS) has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay® Transport Partnership program, and recently celebrated the 100th birthday of founding Chairman Dr. Paul H. Banner.

Commentary

Short Lines: Part of the ‘Green’ Solution

Already the leader in fuel-efficient surface transportation, the railroad industry is now making every effort to be a part of the solution to improving the environment, and the short line industry is all in on a variety of fronts.

Metro Ports Adds Tier 4 Power to Long Beach

Terminal operator and stevedoring company Metro Ports has acquired a second Tier 4 locomotive for its Pier G operations at the Port of Long Beach in California.

Water Train Inc. seeks test project partners

Water Train Inc., an operating unit of Modoc Railroad, has begun solicitations of private persons, companies and municipal governments to participate in the operation of a water test train.

GE Transportation completes first production test of Tier 4 engine

GE Transportation has completed the first production test, which evaluates the performance, emissions and mechanical properties, of its GE Evolution Series Tier 4 engine. This is the first engine to go through GE’s newly built test cell in Grove City, Penn., which produces approximately 3,000-plus engines a year. It will be sent to one of GE’s locomotive assembly facilities to be installed into a GE Evolution Series Tier 4 locomotive, the company said.

How could EPA’s proposed coal regs affect railroads?

The Obama Administration on Monday, June 2, 2014, announced a proposed Environmental Protection Agency regulation, dubbed “Clean Power Plan,” to cut carbon pollution from U.S. power plants 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.

San Pedro & Southwestern named SmartWay partner

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has designated San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad as a partner in EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership program.

NS Roanoke building earns ENERGY STAR certification

Norfolk Southern’s office building at 110 Franklin Road SE in Roanoke has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the building performs in the top 25% of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA.