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BNSF Will Make Emissions Changes: Meeting Clarifies Changes That Will Affect Barstow

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By Adrienne Ziegler, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

Jan. 4--BARSTOW -- In June 2005, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Union Pacific Railway and the California Air Resources Board agreed to a memorandum of understanding that would significantly reduce diesel fuel emissions near California railyards. One facet of that agreement is to get input from local communities and provide information to citizens affected by the railyards -- which is exactly what BNSF representatives did in a small meeting Tuesday night at the City Council chambers. Although turnout was low for community members, the information presented by BNSF representatives clarified some of the major changes that the company will be making in communities such as Barstow in order to help lower the toxic emissions from diesel engines. BNSF Environmental Program Development Manager Michael Stanfill outlined some of the major goals: -- A statewide idling-reduction program: The program uses anti-idling devices and employee training to ensure that locomotives do not stay on longer than necessary. BNSF is also asking for help with this goal. Community members that see a locomotive idling for long periods of time should call 800-832-5452 with the four-digit identification number to report it. -- Use of low-sulfur diesel fuel: The memo states that the railroads achieve maximum use of low-sulfur diesel six years earlier than required by federal regulations. -- Reduce visible emissions: Locomotives that are emitting visible smoke will not be returned to use until they are complying with regulations. BNSF is asking for community help with this goal as well. If people see locomotives emitting continuous smoke, citizens should call 800-832-5452 with the locomotive's four-digit identification number to report it. Stanfill also said BNSF is guaranteeing that all of its locomotives will be tested annually for visible emissions. -- A health-risk assessment for all major railyards within 30 months: BNSF will be gathering information to determine what kind of actual risk the emissions pose to the community. -- Remote sensing technology: Devices would be installed on the tracks of railyards to gather emission information from passing locomotives. "Every train that goes by, it would be able to check and monitor the emissions," Stanfill said. -- Evaluate other alternatives: This goal places emphasis on technology and ideas that have not been fully explored, including locomotives run on liquid natural gas, diesel particulate filters to keep emissions from getting into the air and battery-powered and electric hybrids for railyard equipment. The memorandum of understanding established in June has seen controversy in the state since it was signed. Regional air quality districts, which were working to decrease emissions in many of these areas, had no say in the decisions made by the two railways and the California Air Resources Board. From Here: -- Back to today's news -- News Archive -- Join the discussion at the community forum

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Copyright (c) 2006, Daily Press, Victorville, Calif.

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Source: Daily Press - Victorville, California

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