SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation requiring the organization overseeing Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner trains to assess the effects of climate change on its operations as part of its annual business plan.
SB677, introduced by state Sen. Catherine Blakespear (D-Encinitas), requires the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency to identify projects to increase resiliency to climate-change-related issues and to consider possible funding for such projects. It passed the state Assembly by an 80-0 margin and the state Senate 39-0.
The Surfliner route has experienced multiple long-term closures because of landslides in the San Clemente area since September 2022 [see “Surfliner, Metrolink to resume service …,” Trains News Wire, July 12, 2023], and also has ongoing issues with erosion along the Del Mar Bluffs in San Diego County. Early planning is underway for a project that would replace the route along the bluffs with an inland tunnel [see “San Diego planning agency accepts funds …,” News Wire, Sept. 12, 2022].
“I thank Gov. Newsom for signing SB 677 and ensuring that the LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency is responding to, and planning for, the challenges created by climate change,” Blakespear said in a press release. “The LOSSAN rail line is vital to Southern California and we must take steps to protect it from sea-level rise, coastal erosion and the other effects of our changing climate.”
Only in California would this BS become a law.
Question for the governor, what about the climate change you fly in a private jet to attend a climate change convention?
Then again, your an elite so you get a free pass.
First thought: California is lost. Abandon all hope all ye who enter there.
Second thought: They should emphasize how much safer and more efficient per passenger-mile trains are over other forms of ground transportation.
Does this mean they want a study done every year? Sounds like it to me and some guaranteed work for lawyers.
Study will be done the first year, then xeroxed with a new cover sheet each subsequent year.
Require work but no funds supplied, typical government.
Section 2 of the bill reads: “If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Government Code.” So the additional costs, if they’re significant, will land on the state budget, not on the LOSSAN agency.
Terry Green: If only Congress would pass such a law our school districts and many other lower level agencies would be on a more solid ground then now.
The railroad right of way does not move, but the land surrounding the ROW does. So who holds the surrounding landowners accountable for the same kind of changes? If my tree falls on my neightbor’s land, I am resopnsible, not my neighbor.
Not necessarily. In quite a few states, you are not responsible if your tree damages your neighbor’s property for other than your direct negligence. In other words, if its related to weather or other natural causes (“Act of God”) than the neighbor has to look to his/her insurance for relief.