California Air Resources Board’s Overreaching Locomotive Rule
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the In-Use Locomotive Regulation, which would require the implementation of zero-emission locomotives by prohibiting the operation of any locomotive that is 23 years or older from operating in California. Starting in 2030 for all switch, industrial, and passenger locomotives and 2035 for line-haul locomotives, older locomotives can only operate in the state if they are zero-emissions locomotives.
The rule went into effect on January 1, 2024; however, CARB must obtain approval from the Environmental Protection Agency before it can begin fully enforcing the rule.
This rule is an extreme overreach by CARB and there are reasons to be concerned:
The technology for zero-emission trains is not commercially viable or even available in North America. Today, even the largest batteries cannot keep up with the output needed to move millions of tons of freight across California.
In CA23, the Barstow International Gateway (BIG) is currently underway and will provide up to 20,000 direct and indirect jobs in our community. This project would allow the direct transfer of containers from ships at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to Barstow. If CARB’s rule goes into full effect, this project would be canceled completely.
The Barstow BIG project would significantly reduce port and highway congestion. By distributing cargo through an expanded rail system, BIG will reduce congestion and traffic throughout the Los Angeles Basin and the Inland Empire.
On average, railroads are three to four times more fuel-efficient than trucks, and a single freight train can replace several hundred trucks. According to the EPA’s own analysis, in 2021 Medium-and Heavy-Duty Trucks contributed 23% of total greenhouse gas emissions, while rail only contributed 2%. CARB’s rule will force more trucks on the road, but in contrast, BNSF’s BIG project would help remove them.