Judge: State cannot regulate train emissions
Efforts by the South Coast Air Quality Management District to regulate locomotive emissions in the state were shot down by a federal judge this week in Los Angeles.
U.S. District Court John F. Walter agreed with three railroads that the AQMD does not have the jurisdiction to regulate locomotives. Citing the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act, the judge ruled that only the federal government can regulate railroads.
The case stems from AQMD rules enacted in 2005 and 2006 which restrict locomotives from idling longer than 30 minutes and force railroads to keep records of any idling that lasts longer.
Union Pacific Railroad, BNSF Railway and the Association of American Railroads sued to overturn the rules.
The AQMD hasn't decided if it will appeal this week's ruling.
Judge: State cannot regulate train emissions
