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New engine has half the diesel particulate matter emissions. 

Release 09-67
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 22, 2009
	  	  	
Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825
www.arb.ca.gov

Jessica Love for Cal Trans
(916) 239-4616

Amtrak California Repowers Toward a Greener Future

Introduction of New Locomotive Helps Reduce Caltrans' Carbon
Footprint

SACRAMENTO- This summer, the California Department of
Transportation will take one big step toward cleaning the air
introducing a new kind of locomotive into its Amtrak California
services. On Wednesday, July 22, Caltrans unveiled this
locomotive at a press event held at the Sacramento Valley
Station.
(for image go to press release online here:
http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr072209b.htm .

The introduction of this locomotive marks the beginning of
cleaner diesel technology on California passenger railroads, a
long time ambition of Caltrans in its quest to go green. The
newly upgraded locomotive has recently begun operating between
Sacramento and the Bay Area along the Capitol Corridor route.

"This is really a big step for Caltrans. We took a proactive
role to get a cleaner locomotive on the tracks, and we're proud
to see this project through. It aligns with Governor
Schwarzenegger's objectives to clean up Caltrans' carbon
footprint, and it contributes to the bigger goal of California
going green," said Caltrans Director Will Kempton.

"Commuters who are already helping air quality by leaving their
cars at home can now rest assured that their train is also
fighting climate change," said California Air Resources Board
Chairman Mary D. Nichols.

The first Caltrans locomotive to be upgraded is a Model F59PHI
originally built by Electro-Motive Diesel in October 2001. EMD
has installed a 710ECO™ Repower upgrade package with the latest
microprocessor-controlled locomotive engine technology for lower
emissions, increased fuel economy, greater reliability and
predictable maintenance costs. The newly upgraded locomotive will
now achieve EPA Tier 2 emissions performance - two levels cleaner
than required for this model.

"We at EMD are pleased to offer a product that can benefit
Californians in many ways," said John Hamilton, President and CEO
of Electro-Motive Diesel, Inc. "The 710ECO™ Repower solution
allows Caltrans to achieve its aggressive emissions reduction and
performance goals, while extending the locomotive service lives
to leverage its fleet investment."

Amtrak California is operating fifteen of the F59PHI locomotives
and the goal is to convert the entire fleet to this new cleaner
performance level, eventually reducing operating emissions by
nearly 50 percent.

Caltrans was able to complete this project thanks to grant money
and funding from its project partners. This is a joint effort
between Caltrans, the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority,
Amtrak, the California Air Resources Board, the Sacramento
Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, the Bay Area Air
Quality Management District, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and Electro-Motive Diesel.

About the Project Partners

The California Department of Transportation: The California
Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has been promoting
intercity passenger rail since 1976. Caltrans has an aggressive
program to integrate innovative air quality technology for the
Capitol Corridor/San Joaquin locomotive fleet, supporting
intercity service on more than 400 route miles connecting the
Sacramento region with the San Francisco Bay Area and connecting
the San Francisco Bay Area with the California's Central Valley.
The Department has set specific objectives to implement
innovative air quality technologies for its locomotives, leading
to real and significant environmental solutions which are vital
to maintaining a healthy, growing, sustained ridership. Caltrans
manages the San Joaquin Route (which travels through the Central
Valley and Bay Area) and the Pacific Surfliner (which travels
along the Southern California coast from San Luis Obispo to San
Diego). www.dot.ca.gov

Amtrak: Amtrak has posted six consecutive years of growth in
ridership and revenue, carrying more than 28.7 million passengers
in the last fiscal year. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail
service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a
21,000-mile route system. For schedules, fares and information,
passengers may call 800-USA-RAIL or visit Amtrak.com.

Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority: Capitol Corridor serves
16 stations along the 170-mile rail corridor connecting the
Sacramento area, the San Francisco Bay Area and San Jose. The
Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority partners with Amtrak,
Union Pacific Railroad, Caltrans and the collective communities
comprising the CCJPA to offer a cost-effective, viable and safe
intercity passenger rail service. For information, visit
www.capitolcorridor.org.

Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District (SMAQMD)
and Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD): The AQMD's
work involves interaction with local, state and federal
government agencies, the business community, environmental
groups, and private citizens. Both districts are charged with
achieving the National Ambient Air Quality Standards that are
established by the EPA and the more stringent state standards
established by the California Air Resources Board.

Locomotives have very large engines and are a major source of
emissions of both Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx), a leading precursor
to the formation of ozone and Diesel Particulate Matter (PM), a
toxic air contaminant known to cause cancer and aggravate various
respiratory diseases. Because the Capital Corridor and San
Joaquin routes pass through both the SMAQMD and BAAQMD air
districts, both air districts felt that a program to reduce
emissions from these engines would be very valuable.

California Air Resources Board (CARB): CARB is responsible for
developing statewide programs and strategies to reduce the
emission of smog-forming pollutants and toxics. This includes
programs to reduce emission from mobile sources, both on- and
off-road such as passenger cars, motorcycles, trucks, busses,
heavy-duty construction equipment, recreational vehicles, marine
vessels, lawn and garden equipment, and small utility engines.
Since 1998, the Carl Moyer Memorial Air Quality Standards
Attainment Program has filled a critical niche in California's
strategy to achieve clean air. The Carl Moyer Program provides
grant funding that is channeled through local air districts to
encourage the voluntary purchase of cleaner-than-required
engines, equipments, and emission reduction technologies. This
program accelerates the turnover of old highly-polluting engines,
reduces the costs to the regulated community, speeds the
commercialization of advanced emission controls, and reduces air
pollution impact on environmental justice communities. Emission
reductions achieved through the Carl Moyer Program are an
important component of the California State Implementation Plan,
the State's federal-required plan aimed at meeting clean air
goals. CARB approved the funding for this Tier 0 to Tier 2
emissions upgrade.

United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The 1990
Clean Air Act Amendments mandated EPA to establish emission
standards for a variety of previously unregulated non-road mobile
sources. Included in those requirements was a specific mandate to
regulate the emissions from new locomotives and to require in-use
locomotive engines to be upgraded. However, existing locomotives
are not required to upgrade their emission levels on an
aggressive schedule. EPA has provided funding through grants to
the SMAQMD on several previous occasions to reduce emission from
construction equipment and to retrofit locomotives engines and
felt this project could yield significant benefits.

Electro-Motive Diesel (EMD): Founded in 1922, Electro-Motive is
one of two U.S. original equipment manufacturers of
diesel-electric locomotives. Headquartered in LaGrange, Illinois,
with additional facilities in London, Ontario, EMD designs,
manufactures and sells diesel-electric locomotives for all
commercial railroad applications and has sold its products in
more than 70 countries worldwide. The Company is the only
diesel-electric locomotive manufacturer to have produced more
than 70,000 engines and has the largest installed base of
diesel-electric locomotives in both North America and worldwide.
In addition to its locomotive manufacturing activities, EMD has
an extensive aftermarket business offering customers replacement
parts, maintenance solutions, and a range of value-added services
for its locomotives. The Company is also a global provider of
diesel engines for marine propulsion, offshore and land-based oil
well drilling rigs, and stationary power generation. Additional
information may be found at www.EMDiesels.com.


The Air Resources Board is a department of the California
Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and
protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through
effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and
considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air
pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain
health based air quality standards.

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