BNSF News

California Governor Visits Commerce Mechanical Facility

2010-01-28

BNSF hosted California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger at the Commerce Mechanical Facility during an event on Thursday, Jan. 28.

Matt Rose, BNSF chairman, president and chief executive officer, introduced the governor and met with city and state officials also in attendance. The event highlighted many of BNSF's locomotive technologies, ranging from one of the new diesel-electric road units to the experimental hydrogen fuel cell switch locomotive.

"Through a unique partnership with California, the railroads have embarked on an aggressive program to substantially reduce emissions from locomotives and rail yards. California communities are breathing cleaner air as a result of this cooperative relationship," Rose said.

BNSF and Vehicle Projects developed the experimental hydrogen fuel cell switch locomotive at BNSF facilities in Topeka, Kan. The experimental switch locomotive has the potential to reduce air pollution, is not dependent on oil for fuel, and could serve as a mobile backup power source for military and civilian disaster relief efforts. The U.S. Army, and, by extension, the U.S. Department of Defense, also are partners in development of the locomotive.

"We also have been testing many ultra-low emitting locomotives in the last few years to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency, including GenSet locomotives, liquid natural gas locomotives, SmartBurn locomotives and battery hybrid locomotive technologies," Rose said.

Speaking specifically about California operations, Rose pointed out that on a typical day, BNSF operates more than 75 freight trains in the Los Angeles Basin, many on tracks BNSF shares with Amtrak and Metrolink.

"Gov. Schwarzenegger and his administration understand the benefits of rail and have worked cooperatively with us to build upon the environmental advantages of rail to help reduce emissions and improve air quality," Rose said.

Click here to learn more about BNSF's locomotive technology.

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