Photo: Joshua Brown | Pexels
California air regulators have adopted two landmark rules setting aggressive zero-emission requirements for fleets of heavier vehicles and locomotives. The California Air Resources Board set an age limit to retire old locomotives while requiring operators to set aside money to upgrade to cleaner engines and eventually zero-emission powertrains, and to speed up adoption of zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in all public and many large private fleets. The two rules are expected to prevent more than 5,000 premature deaths by 2050, decrease cancer risk near rail yards by 90%, and bring nearly $60 billion in health benefits statewide. The locomotives rule will eliminate 7,400 tons of fine particulate matter and 386,300 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides by 2050. While Union Pacific Railroad Co, the second-largest rail company, was not happy, a large contingent of environmental advocates and residents who live in areas affected by transport pollution spoke in support of the new rules.
|
|
More:
