Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) joined other congressional lawmakers in co-leading the Locomotives Act, to stop California from imposing “burdensome” regulations on trains operating across state lines.
Obernolte stated that he joined Reps. John Moolenaar and Craig Goldman (R-TX) in introducing the act to limit California’s ability to place regulations on trains crossing into the state.
“California should not be hijacking national freight policy with unreasonable emissions mandates,” Obernolte said. “CARB’s proposed locomotive standards would have wreaked havoc on interstate commerce, driven up costs for American families, and crippled rail operations across the country. I’m thankful that, after sustained pressure, CARB recognized the consequences of its overreach and withdrew its request.”
According to Obernolte’s office, the proposed legislation revises Section 209 of the Clean Air Act to close a loophole which allows the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to request waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency which would require interstate trains to abide by environmental standards stricter than the federal government.
“Nearly every industry relies on railway to ship their goods and access markets across the world,” Moolenaar said. “Unfortunately, bureaucrats in California maintain the ability to supersede federal standards and institute policies that would keep vital parts of Michigan’s economy, including the agriculture and auto industries, from accessing global markets.”
Moolenaar added that the Locomotives Act is a commonsense proposal that stops California’s policies from impacting the state, and the rest of the country.
Barstow International Gateway project
The Daily Press reported earlier this year, that the California Air Resources Board derailed its controversial rule that would have likely killed plans for Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s $1.5 billion Barstow International Gateway project.
The air resources board’s rule would have required the use of zero-emissions locomotives in California starting in 2030.
BNSF Executive Director of Public Affairs Lena Kent in 2024 stated that her company told state officials if the ruling passed, “BNSF would not be able to build this project — finances would not be feasible and we don’t even know how much we’d be able to operate in the state of California.”
Kent added that although BNSF has been testing out electric locomotives, “We do not have an electric locomotive that works. It’s an impossible task for us to be able to do.
California Air Resources Board’s waiver
In 2023, the California Air Resources Board requested a waiver from the Environmental Protection Agency, which would prohibit trains older than 23 years old from operating in the state unless it operates on a zero emissions configuration, according to Obernolte’s office.
The waiver was withdrawn last year, however, California is able to resubmit a similar request at any time. If California’s waiver request was granted, effectively two-thirds of all currently operating trains could not cross into the state, leaving them unable to access two of the largest ports in the country.
The LOCOMOTIVES Act is endorsed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Association of American Railroads, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, the North American Millers Association, the Supply Chain Federation, and the National Grain and Feed Association.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Locomotive Act introduced to stop California’s ‘burdensome regulations’ on trains
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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