ARA Joins Coalition in Urging EPA to Deny the California Air Resources Board Locomotive Regulations

ARA and other agribusinesses in an April 5, 2024, letter urged EPA to deny a request from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for authorization of regulations that would target key aspects of the operation of freight locomotives in California. 

The proposed regulations would:

• Levy annual fees on rail carriers for deposit in accounts that can only be used to comply with the regulations
•  Require the decommission of locomotives 23 years or older beginning in 2030 and require that new switch, industrial (used by rail customers) and passenger locomotives operate in zero-emission configuration (2035 for new line haul locomotives)
• Attempt to regulate locomotive emissions by requiring railroads to shut them down while in transit in certain circumstances
•  Impose certain reporting and “administrative payments.”  Public comments to EPA are due by April 22, 2024. 

LETTER