California to move forward with its ‘zero-emissions’ locomotives regulations

The EPA is on board. Forget that the grid in California is already stretched with brownouts. The weight of a choo choo train….and a battery is going to run this thing? Just when it can’t get more crazy. If mandated in California, one could assume it will effect most locomotives across the Nation. Are the old trains simply going to stop at the California border and turn around?

A comment made: Zero emissions locomotives, zero emissions trucks, zero emissions ships so just close all the California seaports — and airports too.
With zero emissions cars and light trucks too, California has seceded.
Nothing in, nothing out — except illegals in and refugees out.
Turn off the lights, most Californians will be starving to death in the dark.

This was a year ago when we were given a hint -(27 Apr 2023)

The California Air Resources Board has approved new rules to cut emissions and air pollution from diesel-powered trains. The railroad industry opposes the rules and questions whether California’s authorities to regulate trains.

What the heck, let’s get rid of all of them. Here’s what Nick Pope at the Daily Caller News Foundation reported yesterday:

The Biden administration could allow California to implement a rule designed to push green locomotives, but a growing list of stakeholders are warning that the regulation would severely impact the state’s economy and the national rail industry.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could soon determine whether it will allow the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to move forward with a state regulation that would ban the use of locomotives that are more than 23 years past their manufacturing date unless they run using zero-emissions technology, according to Progressive Railroading.

According to the EPA’s notice in the Federal Register, the regulation’s “in-use locomotive operational requirement” allows only locomotives with an original engine build date that’s less than 23 years old to operate in California, excepting locomotives that meet the current cleanest EPA emission standards (currently Tier 4) for a locomotive of its type that are operated in a zero-emission configuration while in California, or that satisfy other specified conditions. The requirement goes into effect Jan. 1, 2030.

The rule also includes “spending account” provision that requires railroads and other locomotive operators to deposit funds into a restricted spending account to help pay for the zero-emissions locomotives.

The American Thinker continues the tale:

Now, as far as I can tell, “zero-emissions” locomotives are battery-powered trains; here’s this from a report by Alex Luvishis and published by a locomotive outlet last year:

Today, four types of zero- or low-emission locomotives are being developed. These are self-contained battery-electric, electric-battery (operating off overhead catenary or internal batteries), hydrogen fuel cell (HFC), and units with upgraded diesel engines using low-carbon renewable diesel or biodiesel, hydrogen/diesel blends, and even an ammonia/hydrogen blend.

Now, according to Union Pacific, diesel-powered locomotive engines pull “heavy axle rail cars…can handle up to 286,000 lbs. or 315,000 lbs. gross weight,” which is seemingly a ludicrous amount of weight, especially when you consider the limits of battery-powered vehicles.

Have you ever ridden an electric scooter or bike, relying exclusively on the battery of the vehicle to zoom around? I have, and after about 10–15 minutes of treating what was supposed to be a pedal-assist bicycle like a little moped and cruising at the top speed (30-ish mph), the battery-power was all used up—and I’m not a very heavy person. What will these trains transport? A couple of crates of apples? A few sacks of flour?

I mean, California already has electric semi-trucks, which as you can expect has been a total “cluster,” which would be laughable were it not so impactful; read about that here.

January 4, 2024

California’s electric semi mandate takes effect, leaving an expensive mess for the truckers and taxpayers

…A truck was also recently out of commission for an entire month, because Volvo recalled the battery (due to a “fire risk”) for replacement.

One of the drivers says that in his diesel-powered semi he could do six loads each day; with the battery-operated Volvo semi, he can do two per day, but he has to work overtime to achieve that goal. Even though he gets paid overtime, he makes $400 less per month because his commissions are lower.

..

Now think of what that does to inflation if that is done throughout the economy. Think of the supply chain disruptions and costs if drivers can only do one-third the number of loads, with loads that are far smaller. Think of how much more space would be needed for charging stations if all trucks and cars were electric.

Think of how much the power grid would have to be increased to support the green agenda. It is not financially feasible and there is no way alternative energy sources could handle this.

And the cost of electric semis dwarfs ($300k–$500k) the cost of diesel-powered ones ($70k–$150k); clearly, small companies will not be able to compete. The insurance, loans, leases, and depreciation costs will also jack up freight rates, which will affect all consumers.

Read more American Thinker

Looks like the end soon of “Thomas and his Friends”

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