FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 28, 2023
Contact: Kevin McGuire, 202-538-2386 (mobile) Kevin.McGuire@mail.house.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C.- Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) applauded the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) approval of a locomotive rule that will bring significant public health and quality of life improvements to communities across California. Earlier this week, Barragán sent a letter to CARB urging the Board to adopt this strong regulation.
“Today, CARB took a huge step toward protecting frontline communities from railroad pollution and advancing zero-emission transportation by adopting a strong locomotive rule. Railroads are an essential part of our supply chain, but they are also major sources of toxic pollution with serious public health consequences,” said Rep. Barragán. “The rule passed today will restrict excessive idling, accelerate the transition to zero-emission rail, and contribute to cleaner air, especially in communities like Wilmington and West Long Beach that are disproportionately impacted by deadly rail pollution. I applaud CARB and the environmental and health organizations who have fought for decades to correct this environmental injustice.”
CARB estimates the new rule will reduce nitrogen oxide emissions across the state by nearly 63 tons each day. Full implementation of the rule is also projected to prevent 3,200 premature deaths and over 1,400 emergency room visits, while saving almost $32 billion in health expenses. In addition to the support of many environmental and health groups, the rule is also widely supported by a several frontline residents and community leaders from California’s 44th Congressional District.
“California’s new locomotive rule is the single most important part of the state’s strategy to meet federal clean air standards,” said Chris Chavez, Deputy Policy Director at Coalition for Clean Air and West Long Beach resident. “While goods movement by rail is often portrayed as being inherently clean, freight rail is almost entirely powered by decades-old, highly polluting diesel locomotives. While all Californians are impacted by the state’s persistent air quality crisis, communities like ours bear the brunt of the burden. We thank CARB for passing this important rule, as well as thank Representative Barragán for her continued advocacy for clean air in Southern California.”
“Today, CARB, stood with the community to stand up against the locomotive industry which for decades has been rarely regulated and held accountable for slowly killing our community members. This is a big step that will allow my community in West Long Beach and others like mine to breathe a little easier, a little deeper without worrying about how it will impact our health,” said Whitney Amaya, East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice member and West Long Beach resident.
Read the letter from Rep. Barragán to CARB here. More information on the new locomotive rule can be found here.
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Nanette Diaz Barragán is proud to represent California’s 44th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Bellflower, Carson, Harbor City, Harbor Gateway, Lakewood, Long Beach, Lynwood, Paramount, Rancho Dominguez, San Pedro, South Gate, West Carson, and Wilmington. She serves as Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Health, Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Minerals Subcommittees.