Posted on 05/02/2024 1:07:55 PM PDT by karpov
American federalism is struggling. Federal rules are an overwhelming presence in every state government, and some states, due to their size or other leverage, can impose their own policies on much or all of the country. The problem has been made clearer by an under-the-radar plan to phase out diesel locomotives in California. If the federal government provides the state with a helping hand, it would bring nationwide repercussions for a vital, overlooked industry.
Various industry and advocacy groups are lining up against California's costly measure, calling on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny a waiver needed to fully implement it. In the past month, more than 30 leading conservative organizations and individuals, hundreds of state and local chambers of commerce, and the U.S. agricultural sector have pleaded with the EPA to help stop this piece of extremism from escaping one coastal state.
Railroads may not be something most Americans, whose attention is on their own cars and roads, think about often. But rail is the most basic infrastructure of interstate commerce, accounting for around 40 percent of long-distance ton-miles. It's also fairly clean, accounting for less than 1 percent of total U.S. emissions. Private companies, like Union Pacific in the West or CSX in the East, pay for their infrastructure and equipment. These facts haven't stopped the regulatory power grab.
Most importantly, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) regulation would have all freight trains operate in zero-emission configuration by 2035. At the end of the decade, the state is mandating the retirement of diesel locomotives 23 years or older, despite typically useful lives of over 40 years. Starting in 2030, new passenger locomotives must operate with zero emissions, with new engines for long-haul freight trains following by 2035. It limits locomotive idling and increases reporting requirements.
(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...
It will be an ICC case before the courts in the end. California’s action would affect the rest of the States’ commerce.
Sorry I don’t know how to post pictures, but as usual California is about 150 years behind the times, as the alternative to diesel-powered railroads was tried (and discarded) a long, long time ago: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Locomotive-Railroad-American-Wood-South-19-Carolina-March-Contemporary-The-Print-Granger-Engraving-1830-Na-Sailing-Car-Poster-Collection-Wind-Powered/632465641
Quite the opposite.
We are so much better than most countries that only have - poor them - one set of laws.
We've got two! One set for our betters, and one for us plebs...
It's called Reno...
What does Moldova order from California?
<>I would think the Interstate Commerce Clause would limit a state’s authority in this.<>
It is addressed in the article.
One reason for so many distribution hubs popping up here in Reno on the I-80 corridor. And it is A BUNCH!
"Railroad co’s should just rename their diesel locomotives as “EV locomotives with a diesel generator”. It’s an accurate description of what they are anyway."
Your statement brought the following thread to mind.
Largest EV Charging Station In the World is Powered By Diesel-Powered Generators (10.3.23)
Since the states have never expressly constitutionally given the very corrupt, post-17th Amendment ratification feds the specific power to police the environment, consider that the EPA, run by non-popularly elected bureaucrats, is unconstitutional and shouldn't exist imo.
"From the accepted doctrine that the United States is a government of delegated powers, it follows that those not expressly granted, or reasonably to be implied from such as are conferred, are reserved to the states, or to the people. To forestall any suggestion to the contrary, the Tenth Amendment was adopted. The same proposition, otherwise stated, is that powers not granted are prohibited [emphasis added]." —United States v. Butler, 1936.
California's CARB is likewise illegal under California's constitution imo, CARB also run by non-popularly elected bureaucrats.
"Article IV, California ConstitutionSection 1
The legislative power of this State is vested in the California Legislature which consists of the Senate and Assembly, the people reserving to themselves the powers of initiative and referendum."
Non-popularly elected government bureaucrats in state and federal governments are examples of career, crook lawmakers who are not taking responsibility for the legislative powers that voter are trusting them with imo, most federal domestic bureaucrat policies now based on stolen state powers imo.
The modern diesel electric is and was the first hybrid the left celebrates.
Aha—I see that you are peeking....
I passed my peak a while back...
“Thanks—but no thanks...jeez no wonder we get no orders from your town—its filled with poopy heads like yourself...”
Are you actually crying because you are based in Ca and the rest of us are too intelligent to support Ca?
Got some idea we owe you something? We owe you absolutely not one thing. That is your own fault for living there.
“...perhaps california’s angle is to force interstate adoption of overhead electrified rail lines...”
Isn’t that how the European trains are powered?
Send all of the illegals to California and hang some ropes on the trains and let them drag them around. Would be worth a pay-per-view to see that work on Donner Pass, especially if the put some at the back to push.
There are already freight companies doing exactly that.
DICK SIMON trucking hasn’t taken a truck into Calif for some years.
They demanded too many expensive ‘updates’ to truck engines.
SOOOOOOOO—OF Calif residents have to drive to Nevada tho shop-—watch Calif try to find them for doing that.
PAYBACK IS A RELENTLESS BITCH
PAYBACK IS NOT EASILY PLACATED, EITHER
FINE THEM
GREMLINS IN MY KEYBOARD? OR AI TRYING TO MESS WITH ME???
Isn’t that how the European trains are powered?
In any case, where is all the electricity for these trains (and cars, kitchen stoves, etc., etc. going to come from? Unicorn farts?
I think they should put the depot in Searchlight, just dump all the crap in the middle of the desert.
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