Rail Costs Would Increase With New Emissions Rules

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ighter federal emissions standards for railroad locomotives, expected to be proposed late this year, would increase the cost of rail equipment, rail and diesel representatives said.

The Environmental Protection Agency plans to issue draft regulations affecting locomotive engines that would sharply cut nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, following the same patterns as its standards for truck engines, which have resulted in higher costs and lower fuel economy.

“The trucking industry has seen a substantial increase in the cost of new technology” to control emissions “and so will rail,” said Tom White, a spokesman for the Association of American Railroads.