3/6/2017
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Rail News Home BNSF Railway 3/6/2017 Rail News: BNSF Railway
BNSF Railway Co. will clean up coal and petroleum coke in waterways, fund a study of rail-car covers and pay $1 million for environmental projects in Washington state, according to consent decree filed in U.S. District Court.The decree resolves a Clean Water Act lawsuit in Seattle brought against BNSF by environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Puget Soundkeeper, Columbia Riverkeeper, Spokane Riverkeeper, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Friends of the Columbia Gorge.Under the decree, BNSF will pay for the cleanup of Pacific Northwest waterways that were polluted by coal or petroleum coke that spilled from open-topped rail cars. In addition, BNSF will pay $1 million for environmental projects in the Bellingham, Puget Sound, Columbia River and Spokane River areas. The Class I also will clean up areas of the Columbia River and its tributaries that have been littered with coal and petroleum coke from BNSF trains.Moreover, the decree requires the railroad to fund a study about covers for rail cars carrying coal and petroleum coke.BNSF officials said the agreement reflects the Class I's long-term efforts to address coal dust "and allows us to continue that practice without the distraction of a prolonged legal battle," according to a prepared statement issued by company spokeswoman Courtney Wallace.The environmental groups initially sued BNSF for $4.6 trillion, and the $1 million settlement "reflects the truth that the sweeping allegations from the plaintiffs were simply unfounded," said Wallace.Additionally, BNSF denies any violations of the Clean Water Act, and the U.S. District Court judge did not find any specific violations.Regarding the study of physical covers for coal and petroleum coke trains, Wallace said the first step will be to identify available prototypes for testing."BNSF will develop a study protocol to assess the safety and commercial and operational feasibility of available prototypes, as well as their effectiveness in reducing coal or petroleum coke dust," Wallace said. "The settlement does not require a particular outcome or conclusion with respect to car covers. The study results will be driven by data and technical analysis."During a weeklong trial in November 2016, scientists testified that a million or more coal particles per second come off each rail car. The particles release mercury, arsenic and other pollutants into waterways along BNSF rail lines, they testified, according to a press release issued by the environmental groups. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 3/6/2017
BNSF Railway Co. will clean up coal and petroleum coke in waterways, fund a study of rail-car covers and pay $1 million for environmental projects in Washington state, according to consent decree filed in U.S. District Court.The decree resolves a Clean Water Act lawsuit in Seattle brought against BNSF by environmental groups including the Sierra Club, Puget Soundkeeper, Columbia Riverkeeper, Spokane Riverkeeper, RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and Friends of the Columbia Gorge.Under the decree, BNSF will pay for the cleanup of Pacific Northwest waterways that were polluted by coal or petroleum coke that spilled from open-topped rail cars. In addition, BNSF will pay $1 million for environmental projects in the Bellingham, Puget Sound, Columbia River and Spokane River areas. The Class I also will clean up areas of the Columbia River and its tributaries that have been littered with coal and petroleum coke from BNSF trains.Moreover, the decree requires the railroad to fund a study about covers for rail cars carrying coal and petroleum coke.BNSF officials said the agreement reflects the Class I's long-term efforts to address coal dust "and allows us to continue that practice without the distraction of a prolonged legal battle," according to a prepared statement issued by company spokeswoman Courtney Wallace.The environmental groups initially sued BNSF for $4.6 trillion, and the $1 million settlement "reflects the truth that the sweeping allegations from the plaintiffs were simply unfounded," said Wallace.Additionally, BNSF denies any violations of the Clean Water Act, and the U.S. District Court judge did not find any specific violations.Regarding the study of physical covers for coal and petroleum coke trains, Wallace said the first step will be to identify available prototypes for testing."BNSF will develop a study protocol to assess the safety and commercial and operational feasibility of available prototypes, as well as their effectiveness in reducing coal or petroleum coke dust," Wallace said. "The settlement does not require a particular outcome or conclusion with respect to car covers. The study results will be driven by data and technical analysis."During a weeklong trial in November 2016, scientists testified that a million or more coal particles per second come off each rail car. The particles release mercury, arsenic and other pollutants into waterways along BNSF rail lines, they testified, according to a press release issued by the environmental groups. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 3/6/2017
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06
3/6/2017
Rail News: BNSF Railway
Mar
06
3/6/2017
Rail News: BNSF Railway
Mar
03
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Rail News: Safety
Mar
03
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is beginning the next major construction phase of its signature 95th Terminal Improvement Project, which will expand and greatly improve the 95th/Dan Ryan Red Line station.
The next phase will include work on the tracks, existing station platform and the new North and South Terminal buildings. To complete this work, the CTA will need to make some minor changes to Red Line service during the construction period. Separately, construction work will again require the extended closure of the left northbound lane on the Dan Ryan near 95th Street beginning as soon as March 18, 2017, dependent on weather.
Mar
03
Hill International (prime) and CH2M (principal sub-consultant) have been selected by Valley Metro as program and construction management consultants on future high-capacity transit projects in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
The high-capacity transit projects include the region's first streetcar, a new light rail station on the existing Valley Metro Rail system and a five-mile light-rail extension. The new station and extension are part of Phoenix's voter-approved 35-year multi-modal transportation plan, T2050, which will triple the number of light-rail miles in Phoenix.
Mar
03
Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 3/3/2017 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
The Alberta Chamber of Commerce has recognized CN for excellence in aboriginal relations. The Class I received the chamber's Alberta Business Award of Distinction in the Indigenous Relations—Best Practices category. The award was presented last week at the chamber's annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction event in Edmonton, Alberta, according to a CN press release.CN operates within or adjacent to nearly 200 different reserve lands of more than 110 First Nationals and some Metis territories in eight provinces."This award is a clear recognition of CN's commitment to Aboriginal Relations and our Aboriginal Vision adopted in 2013," said Melanie Allaire, lead of the Aboriginal Affairs team at CN. "CN remains committed to proactively developing respectful and mutually-beneficial relationships with all Aboriginal people across Alberta and Canada."The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses or organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while developing business acumen and management practices to ensure long-term stability. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 3/3/2017
The Alberta Chamber of Commerce has recognized CN for excellence in aboriginal relations. The Class I received the chamber's Alberta Business Award of Distinction in the Indigenous Relations—Best Practices category. The award was presented last week at the chamber's annual Alberta Business Awards of Distinction event in Edmonton, Alberta, according to a CN press release.CN operates within or adjacent to nearly 200 different reserve lands of more than 110 First Nationals and some Metis territories in eight provinces."This award is a clear recognition of CN's commitment to Aboriginal Relations and our Aboriginal Vision adopted in 2013," said Melanie Allaire, lead of the Aboriginal Affairs team at CN. "CN remains committed to proactively developing respectful and mutually-beneficial relationships with all Aboriginal people across Alberta and Canada."The Alberta Business Awards of Distinction recognize businesses or organizations that demonstrate outstanding achievement and contribution to their community while developing business acumen and management practices to ensure long-term stability. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 3/3/2017
Mar
03
3/3/2017
Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
Mar
03
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Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN
Mar
03
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Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals
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03
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Rail News: High-Speed Rail
Mar
02
3/2/2017
Rail News: Supplier Spotlight
Mar
02
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02
3/2/2017
Rail News: Passenger Rail
Mar
02
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3/2/2017
Rail News: Security
Mar
02
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Rail News: Rail Industry Trends