More Monday morning rail news:
AAR launches push for government support with white paper on environmental benefits of rail, policy goals
The Association of American Railroads is promoting the rail industry as a solution to climate change in proposals contained in a white paper released today, Bloomberg reports, hoping to find support with the Biden administration’s interest in environmental issues and the president’s support for passenger rail. The paper advances proposals including replacing the gasoline tax with a fee on vehicle miles traveled; creating of an emissions surcharge, some of which would be used for dedicated passenger-rail funding; government funding support for research on new forms of locomotive power, such as battery and hydrogen engines; funding of passenger rail; policies to support development of carbon capture technology; and streamlining regulation to allow railroads to test and deploy new technologies. The push focuses on the fact transportation has become the biggest source of greenhouse gases in the U.S., but rail is responsible for just 2% of those emissions. “There’s no denying that moving goods by rail is more efficient and emissions-friendly than moving goods over the highway,” AAR CEO Ian Jefferies told Bloomberg. The white paper is available here.
Honolulu rail funding included in coronavirus relief bill
A $70 million grant for the Honolulu’s troubled light rail system is among items included in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives and about to be taken up by the Senate. KHON-TV reports the money, which would help offset local tax revenue last as a result of the ongoing pandemic, was included through the work of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz. Lori Kahikina, interim executive director of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, said the funds “will enable HART to continue working toward its critical path construction goals.”
Wabtec donates funds to Texas storm relief efforts
Wabtec’s philanthropic arm, the Wabtec Foundation, has donated $30,000 to local relief efforts in Texas addressing the recent winter storm and destructive power outages. The funds will be split among three nonprofits: the Salvation Army of North Texas, Tarrant Area Food Bank, and the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition. “As hundreds of thousands of Texans continue to deal with the lingering impacts of the storm, far too many will need shelter and food to thrive,” Nicole Theophilus, chief human resource officer for Wabtec, said in a press release. “Through this donation, we hope they find comfort and relief.” Wabtec has more than 1,200 employees across multiple sites in Texas, including its one-million-square foot locomotive plant in Fort Worth.
