News & Reviews News Wire New Southern California rule would require dramatic reduction in rail yard pollution

New Southern California rule would require dramatic reduction in rail yard pollution

By Trains Staff | August 3, 2024

Regulation is contingent of approval of state rule requiring zero-emission locomotives

Email Newsletter

Get the newest photos, videos, stories, and more from Trains.com brands. Sign-up for email today!

WestColton
Union Pacific’s West Colton Yard. A new rule would require railroads to begin significant moves to reduce pollution at yards starting in 2027. Trains collection

DIAMOND Bar, Calif. — A Southern California regulatory agency on Friday adopted new rules requiring railroads to significantly reduce pollution from rail yards starting in 2027, an action that would require nitrogen oxide emissions to be reduced up to 82% by 2037.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s new Freight Rail Yards Indirect Source Rule would require the reductions through the use of cleaner technologies, such as lower-emission locomotives. However, as the Los Angeles Times reports, the rule is contingent on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval of state regulations for locomotives and trucks. Those rules, which require use of zero-emission locomotives in California by 2035 (2030 for those in switching service), are being challenged in court by the rail industry. The Association of American Railroads and American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association argue the California Air Resources Board is mandating the use of technology that does not yet exist commercially [see “Railroads file suit …,” Trains News Wire, June 16, 2023].

The South Coast AQMD says rail yards contribute about 9% of the smog-forming emissions in the Los Angeles area. The rule, which the agency says was developed through seven years of public outreach, would cover about 25 facilities in the South Coast AQMD’s jurisdiction. It does not cover yards at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

“While there is no single rule or regulation that can achieve federal air quality standards on its own, today’s adoption is a big step in the right direction,” Vanessa Delgado, chair of the agency’s governing board, said in a press release. “There are so many communities, parks, and schools that are surrounded and affected by sources associated with rail yards that will directly benefit from today’s action. We will continue to reduce emissions where we are able because that is what our communities deserve.”

According to the Times, the district says about 70% of all yard pollution comes from trains, and those emissions have remained largely unchanged because railroads have not been purchasing new locomotives meeting stricter emission rules.

9 thoughts on “New Southern California rule would require dramatic reduction in rail yard pollution

  1. “the rule is contingent on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval of state regulations for locomotives and trucks. Those rules, which require use of zero-emission locomotives in California by 2035”

    CARB was recently brought to DC to explain the rules they wish to harmonize with the EPA for California. When questioned, the representative from CARB could not come up with one metric, one statistic, not one fact of research on how these rules will benefit air quality. The Congressmen were pretty aghast that they were requesting so much authority over rules they had absolutely no knowledge how they would work.

    1. The CARB cries every time a Californian starts their gas lawn mower.
      A moratorium on new construction is the only practical way to improve Southern California air quality, but the construction and realtor PAC’s would work overtime to stop that from going into effect.
      Consequently, CARB attacks anything they think the ignorant public will support.
      This is not the first time that they toss out numbers that aren’t attached to reality.

  2. In related news, due to the higher likelihood of heart attacks on Mondays that day of the week shall be legislated out of existence.

  3. “The rule, which the agency says was developed through seven years of public outreach”

    But no contact with the host railroads I presume?

  4. It’s too bad the UP and the BNSF Railway cannot “pick-up” their So. California railyards and move them to another state. Yes, another nutty California regulation that will drive more economic activity and business out of the ‘Golden State.’

    Interesting piece in this week-end’s Wall Street Journal about Chevron now leaving California and de-camping to Texas. Apparently the loons in Sacramento are seriously considering the state taking over all of the refineries there in order to address/resolve (?) the state’s sky – high gas prices. Another one of these stories that you cannot make-up …..

  5. If so, then nobody will get their freight by rail. As more nutty laws are introduced in Calif. it will hit them first and they will deserve it.

  6. Elect the California candidate as president in November, these rules will be nationwide next year.

You must login to submit a comment