2024-0258
INTRODUCED BY: WALTER PILIÈ, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
MICHAEL A. MOBLEY, COUNCILMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION A
HOLLY FONSECA, COUNCILWOMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION B
LA SANDRA D. WILSON, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT I
HEATHER SKIBA, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II
MICHELLE O’DANIELS, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
BOB FISHER, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
MICHELE DEBRULER, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII
RESOLUTION NO. __________
Title
A resolution to oppose the In-Use Locomotive regulation on behalf of parish residents by directly expressing opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Body
WHEREAS, freight rail is a crucial part of its transportation system moving over 70 million tons of freight in a given year; and,
WHEREAS, freight rail links are a critical link for St. Charles Parish with five rail lines connecting the parish and its businesses to the rest of Louisiana and the national rail network; and,
WHEREAS, moving freight by rail provides access for businesses and manufacturers around the parish helping to create jobs and opportunities while easing congestion on parish roadways; and,
WHEREAS, rail access has a long history in this region of Louisiana with the first railroads reaching the region in the 1880s; and,
WHEREAS, for the last forty years the U.S. freight railroad industry has reconstituted and modernized itself under the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 which provides for operational independence for the industry allowing it to reinvest in its infrastructure and serve communities across the country; and,
WHEREAS, the State of California has proposed an “In-Use Locomotive” regulation that would prohibit the operation of locomotives in that state that are older than 23-years old unless they are in a net-zero emissions configuration by 2030; and,
WHEREAS, such technology is not commercially scalable nor viable in the time allowed; and,
WHEREAS, this proposal would effectively shut down consistent rail service to the West Coast and may be followed by other states thus undercutting the inherent efficiency of moving freight by rail over long distances; and,
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish lies on a major corridor for freight traffic moving from east to west; and,
WHEREAS, this policy would have national implications that would be felt in St. Charles Parish by consumers and businesses ranging from supply chain delays to additional trucks on parish roadways; and,
WHEREAS, California must receive a waiver under the Clean Air Act from the Environmental Protection Agency to enforce this policy.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL, oppose the In-Use Locomotive regulation and urge its congressional delegation to oppose this policy on behalf of parish residents either through congressional action or by directly expressing opposition to the Environmental Protection Agency as they evaluate whether or not to grant a waiver.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted this ______ day of __________, 2024, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
CHAIRMAN:
SECRETARY:
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:
APPROVED: DISAPPROVED:
PARISH PRESIDENT:
RETD/SECRETARY:
AT: RECD BY: