U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Archives

Federal lawmakers and environmental groups are urging the DOT to reject the use of tax-exempt "private equity bonds" to fund the Uinta Basin Railway.

April 05, 2023
Regulatory

Lawmakers, Environmental Groups Urge DOT to Reject Use of Bonds to Fund Uinta Basin Railway

U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.), along with more than 150 environmental groups, some from as far away as New Jersey, have sent a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to reject the use of tax-exempt “private activity bonds” for the Uinta Basin Railway, stating that the project would “undermine President Biden’s priority of addressing the climate crisis, and harm communities through which these oil trains will travel and where this oil will be refined.”

“We are working around the clock to remediate the remaining issues in East Palestine. We continue to listen to the experts and cooperate with state, federal, and local government agencies. We are committed to this for as long as necessary.” —NS, via Twitter on March 9. (NS Photograph)

March 09, 2023
Class I

NS’s Shaw: ‘We Won’t Be Finished Until We Make It Right’

Ahead of a March 9 Senate hearing on Protecting Public Health in the Wake of the Norfolk Southern (NS) Derailment and Chemical Release in East Palestine, Ohio, NS President and CEO Alan

Image that includes the site of former Houston Wood Preserving Works, Courtesy of UP, via Twitter

February 28, 2023
Class I

UP Advances Environmental Assessment, Testing at HWPW

More environmental assessment and testing will take place at the former Houston Wood Preserving Works (HWPW), which closed in 1984, according to Union Pacific (UP). The Class I railroad inherited the Houston, Tex., site in 1997 after its merger with Southern Pacific Transportation Company (Southern Pacific Railroad).

January 25, 2023
Regulatory

G&W, EPA Reach Environmental Settlement

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 24 announced a settlement with Genesee & Wyoming Railroad Services Inc. (G&W) and its affiliated companies for what it called a violation of Clean Air Act (CAA) locomotive regulations.

“We are committed to doing our part to operating responsibly, and our ESG efforts are core elements of our goal to be one of North America’s best-performing, and most-respected short line rail companies,” Pioneer Lines President and CEO Alex Yeros said. (Photo Courtesy of Pioneer Lines)

April 22, 2022
Short Lines & Regionals

Pioneer Lines Joins EPA SmartWay Program

In support of its newly launched Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, Pioneer Lines has joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay® Transport Partnership program.

Regional Rail LLC began operating Florida’s Port Manatee Railroad on Dec. 1, 2021.

March 17, 2022
Short Lines & Regionals

EPA SmartWay Signs on Regional Rail

Eight more short lines have joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay® Transport Partnership program; they are part of Regional Rail LLC, a holding company based in Kennett Square, Pa.

In January, Metra’s Board of Directors approved a $1.8 billion purchase of up to 500 Alstom multilevels to replace aging bi-level gallery cars.

July 20, 2021
News

Supply Side: Alstom, Grignard Pure, Nexxiot

Alstom will receive a $3.4 million federal grant to expand its Hornell, N.Y., manufacturing facility. In addition, Grignard Pure LLC’s antimicrobial air treatment solution has received EPA approval for use in intrastate transit and transportation applications, and Nexxiot has teamed with TransRail Innovation Group (TRIG) to provide freight car monitoring.

All six Anacostia Rail Holdings Company subsidiaries, including Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (pictured), are now SmartWay partners.

May 18, 2021
Short Lines & Regionals

SmartWay Signs On More ARH Short Lines

The remaining five of Anacostia Rail Holdings Company’s (ARH) six short line subsidiaries are now certified partners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay® Transport Partnership program.