Did anyone on this board attend the hearing? Looking for some general notes on the different testimonies, considering this rule does affect heritage rail operations in some capacity.

We sent an email this morning to friends like you nationwide, requesting help on a new proposal in California that could negatively impact rail transportation across the U.S., our national supply chain, and our economy (read more below). Unfortunately, some of you received a faulty link — we apologize for the error. Please click on the updated link below to take action on this important issue:

The California Air Resources Board has proposed well-intentioned but ill-conceived regulations that would require companies like BNSF to use zero-emission locomotives in California, despite the fact that the technology is not ready, and it’s not clear when it will be. Complying with these regulations would cost freight rail companies hundreds of millions per year, diverting resources from existing emission-reduction projects and potentially halting or canceling them altogether.

It’s a lose-lose deal.

We must swiftly voice our concerns about these proposed regulations. Stopping the proposal ensures the effectiveness and efficiency of our rail network, and it allows time and resources to develop the freight rail network of tomorrow.

You can learn more and send a note to oppose the regulation by clicking here.

The effect of the regulation would be devastating:

Our supply chain would suffer without new rail projects that improve efficiency, increasing costs for shippers and consumers.
It will slow our transition to lower-emission locomotives.
Cargo will shift away from rail, the most environmentally-friendly way to move freight over land.
Rail projects in the works would be canceled, eliminating thousands of well-paying jobs and supply chain efficiencies.
Small business short line railroads will go out of business, unable to take on the cost of compliance.

There are two ways to help:

Send an email – We’ve pre-written an email you can edit and send to decision-makers to ensure clean technology and infrastructure projects may continue in California.

Testify at a hearing – Attend a virtual public hearing on March 20, 2024, beginning at 7:00 a.m. (Pacific Time), to share comments concerning the proposed rules. Sign up here.

Thank you for taking a moment to oppose this ineffective, patchwork approach and support a realistic pursuit of lower- and zero-emission locomotives.

Sincerely,

BNSF Team