UP, BNSF join emissions reduction program

UP, BNSF join emissions reduction program    Union Pacific Railroad said Friday it has signed a voluntary agreement with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) aimed at reducing diesel emissions at rail yards in California.
   The agreement was developed cooperatively with UP, CARB and BNSF Railway Co., and approved by all three parties.
   According to UP, the program has the potential to reduce particulate emissions by an estimated 15 to 20 percent at rail yards by June 2008 when all elements of the program are phased in.
   Key actions of the program include:
   * Eliminate non-essential locomotive idling.
   * Introduce lower sulfur diesel fuel for locomotives sooner than required.
   * Reduce visual emissions through testing and repair program.
   * Review impacts of air emissions from designated rail yards.
   * Assess toxic air contaminants from designated rail yards.
   * Evaluate remote sensing technology for possible use to identify high-emitting locomotives.
   UP said it expects to spend about $20 million over the next three years implementing the various aspects of this emissions reduction program.
   Since January, 2000, UP has purchased more than 2,000 new fuel-efficient locomotives that comply with USEPA Tier 0, Tier 1 and Tier 2 standards. During the same time period, UP has retired more than 1,300 older units, with more than 800 existing units being remanufactured to meet the stricter standards.