BNSF Awarded $22.6 Million State Grant for Clean Technology Pilot Program
October 11 2018 - 12:04PM
Business Wire
BNSF Railway Company (BNSF) and the San Joaquin Valley Air
Pollution Control District were preliminarily awarded a $22.6
million Zero and Near Zero Emission Freight Facilities grant from
the California Air Resource Board to pilot several emissions
reducing technologies in and around railyards. BNSF will
collaborate with various industry partners to test the feasibility
of these technologies.
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“BNSF is focused on continuing to reduce our environmental
impact, and we’re committed to doing our part to test and prove the
commercial viability of emerging technologies that reduce
emissions,” said John Lovenburg, vice president, Environmental.
These initiatives will build on BNSF’s existing investments in
sustainable technologies including idle control, electric wide-span
cranes, electric hostlers, automated gates at its intermodal
facilities, and Tier 4 locomotives. As part of the project, BNSF
will partner with GE Transportation on a battery-electric
locomotive that will be paired with diesel locomotives to power a
freight train traveling from Stockton to Barstow.
GE Transportation will develop an all battery-electric
locomotive to validate the technology’s tremendous operational
benefits and growth potential in the freight rail industry. The
company will design and build an AC Evolution Series locomotive
featuring an overall energy-management system, including onboard
energy storage, which coupled with advanced system-optimization
controls will improve performance. This battery-electric locomotive
will generate 2,400 kilowatt-hours of power and could potentially
reduce a freight train’s total fuel consumption by at least 10 to
15 percent.
“Battery-powered or hybrid locomotives are promising
technologies for the rail industry with the potential to reduce
operating costs and emissions,” said Dominique Malenfant, vice
president, Global Technology, GE Transportation. “This project will
give us tremendous insight into the capabilities of battery power
and the best operational methods of leveraging the technology. It
will accelerate the development of this cleaner, more efficient
solution for the freight rail industry.”
In addition, two hybrid rubber-tire gantry cranes from Mi-Jack
will be piloted; one at the Stockton Intermodal Facility and
another at the San Bernardino Intermodal Facility. The hybrid
cranes, when compared to their diesel counterparts, have the
ability to reduce emissions by 70 percent. A Taylor all-electric
side loader will also be piloted at the San Bernardino Intermodal
Facility. Finally, BNSF will partner with SH&H, a drayage truck
provider, to demonstrate a BYD all-electric drayage truck in San
Bernardino.
The equipment will be manufactured in 2019 and deployed in 2020.
The grant will cover approximately half the cost of what is
estimated to be a $45 million project. The remaining amount will be
funded by BNSF and the other corporate partners.
About BNSF
BNSF Railway is one of North America’s leading freight
transportation companies. BNSF operates approximately 32,500 route
miles of track in 28 states and also operates in three Canadian
provinces. BNSF is one of the top transporters of consumer goods,
grain and agricultural products, low-sulfur coal, and industrial
goods such as petroleum, chemicals, housing materials, food and
beverages. BNSF’s shipments help feed, clothe, supply, and power
American homes and businesses every day. BNSF and its employees
have developed one of the most technologically advanced, and
efficient railroads in the industry. We work continuously to
improve the value of the safety, service, energy, and environmental
benefits we provide to our customers and the communities we serve.
You can learn more about BNSF at www.BNSF.com.
About the California Air Resources Board and California
Climate Investments
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has preliminarily
awarded $22.6 million to BNSF Railway and the San Joaquin Valley
Air Pollution Control District for the Zero- and Near Zero-Emission
Freight Facilities Project. The Zero- and Near Zero-Emission
Freight Facilities Project will pilot several emissions reducing
technologies in and around railyards. The Zero- and Near
Zero-Emission Freight Facilities Project is part of California
Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of
Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
strengthening the economy and improving public health and the
environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
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BNSF Railway CompanyLena Kent, 909-386-4140Director, Public
AffairsLena.kent@bnsf.com