EPA rules may impact rail operations

New federal emissions standards announced Friday targeting locomotive and marine diesel engines are expected to impact rail operations in Utah, where coal is hauled weekly by train between mines and power plants.

"This is one of the last remaining sources of pollution that needed to be regulated," said Cheryl Heying, director of the Utah Department of Environmental Quality's air quality division. "They've been dragging their feet — this is something we've been looking forward to."

Long term, Heying added, the new emissions will be a good idea, but she is hesitant to offer further comment until the Environmental Protection Agency posts more details about an implementation timeline and logistics. So far, the EPA has said that tighter long-term standards will begin in 2014 for marine diesel engines and 2015 for locomotives.

The Utah Transit Authority, however, is already in the clear with its 12 diesel locomotives that will eventually haul commuters riding UTA's FrontRunner.

"All of our locomotives already meet the (EPA) Tier 2 emission standard," said UTA spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware.

FrontRunner's engines were manufactured overseas new for UTA and no upgrading was required. UTA's TRAX system in Salt Lake County operates using overhead electrical wires.

EPA anticipates its new emissions standards will "slash" pollution from diesel-powered locomotives and marine vehicles by up to 90 percent, with results showing up as soon as this year. EPA officials say the new standards nationwide will cut soot, or particulate matter (PM), by 27,000 tons, or 90 percent, and reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) released into the air by 80 percent, or 800,000 tons.

"As more and more goods flow through our ports and railways, EPA is cutting diesel emissions at their source — keeping our nation on track toward a clean, healthy, productive tomorrow," EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson said in a statement.

The latest EPA announcement comes on the heels of the EPA's new 2008 eight-hour ozone standard, which by 2010 will begin singling out counties that can't meet the new 75 parts per billion standard. The EPA said marine and locomotive diesel engines are a significant contributor to pollution in areas currently in violation of the new ozone standard.

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