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Improvements for the rail industry are coming down the tracks
Locomotive engines are significant contributors to air pollution in many of our nation's cities and ports, emitting large amounts of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM), both of which contribute to serious public health problems.
According to the US EPA, locomotives contribute about seven percent of nitrogen oxides emissions and five percent of diesel particulate matter emissions from on-road and non-road engines sources, nationwide.
Solutions for today
These engines can last for 40 years or longer. While new and upcoming fuel and engine standards will improve the emissions from the rail industry over time, through our Diesel Solutions program we are working with local partners now to explore:
- Retrofitting trains with emission-control devices
- Switching to cleaner-burning low-sulfur diesel fuel or ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) prior to federal mandates.
- Installing idle reduction equipment that will limit idle time and conserve fuel
New standards rolling out
According to EPA, the new emission standards noted below will reduce NOx emissions by two-thirds, while hydrocarbons and PM emissions from these engines will decrease by 50 percent. EPA has adopted three separate sets of emission standards, with the standards taking effect depending on the date a locomotive is first manufactured:1
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The first set of standards (Tier 0) apply to locomotives and locomotive engines originally manufactured from 1973 through 2001 any time they are manufactured or remanufactured. This unique feature of the locomotive program is critical, because locomotives are generally remanufactured five to ten times during their total service lives of 40 years or more.
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The second set of standards (Tier 1) apply to locomotives and locomotive engines originally manufactured from 2002 through 2004. These locomotives and locomotive engines must meet the Tier 1 standards at the time of original manufacture and at each subsequent remanufacture.
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The final set of standards (Tier 2) apply to locomotives and locomotive engines originally manufactured in 2005 and later. Tier 2 locomotives and locomotive engines must meet the applicable standards at the time of original manufacture and at each subsequent remanufacture.
Additionally, as part of the Clean Air Nonroad Diesel Rule of May 2004, EPA finalized new requirements for non-road diesel fuel that will decrease the allowable levels of sulfur in fuel used in locomotives by 99 percent. These fuel improvements will create immediate and significant environmental and public health benefits by reducing PM from existing engines.
