CARB drafts locomotive technology assessment

The California Air Resource Board (CARB) on April 26, 2016 published its draft Technology Assessment: Freight Locomotives and is seeking public comment.

The 146-page draft report (not counting appendices), a PDF of which can be downloaded from the link below, “is clearly written and full of interesting context and technical info,” said CARB. “The University of Illinois is preparing a companion study on the economic and operational impacts of advanced technology locomotives under contract to CARB; this is due out in a few weeks.We invite comments on both documents, and will respond in a final CARB rail technology assessment.”

“CARB’s objective is to transition on-road and off-road mobile sources to zero tailpipe emissions everywhere possible, and near-zero emissions with clean, low-carbon renewable fuels everywhere else, to meet air quality and climate goals,” the Board says in the draft report. “The purpose of this freight rail technology assessment is to help inform and support CARB planning, regulatory and voluntary incentive efforts, including a California Sustainable Freight Action Plan, State Implementation Plan (SIP) development, Funding Plans, Governor’s Zero-Emission Vehicle Action Plan; and California’s coordinated goals to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) and petroleum use by 2030 and 2050.

“The freight rail technology assessment considers potential advanced locomotive technologies that could operate on the existing rail network with emissions well below the current national Tier 4 emission levels. This assessment is not focused on passenger rail, but many of the same technologies, especially full electrification, would be feasible on that service. CARB staff will separately examine zero-emission cargo conveyance systems that may be potential alternatives to rail and truck transport.”

Comments on the Technology Assessment are due June 15, 2016 (see page 3 of the PDF). Check back HERE for the impacts document.