Valadao questions Buttigieg on California's emission laws and rail progress
Source: KBAK
Author: Celine Stevens
BAKERSFIELD, Calif -- Congressman David Valadao confronted U.S Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg during a hearing, pushing for answers regarding California's new environmental regulations that he said targets the emissions of trains.
"The regulation requires that railroads operating in California must quickly begin adopting zero emission technology for locomotives, technology that is currently not commercially available," said Valadao.
Buttigeg said that's not for his department to handle, but instead the Environmental Protection Agency.
"When it comes to railroad regulation, our authority mostly relates to the physical safety and safe operation," he said.
However, Valadao said Buttigeg is likely to face some heat either way.
"If 65% of the locomotives in the country are touching California and are being delayed because of either having changed engines or completely removed engines off the fleet, it's going to have an impact, and you're going to be the one to blame because when they think locomotives, they don't think EPA, they're thinking Secretary of Transportation," said Valadao.
Valadao also asked Buttigeg about a comment he made about about the Brightline West High Speed Rail Project, which would connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles.
"One comment that you made that stood out to me, because high speed rail in California, they broke ground in 2015, was that this was going to be the first true high speed rail, what do you mean by that, and why is California 10 years into this project, construction already started, why is Las Vegas's going to be done before ours?" he asked.
Buttigieg quickly corrected his statement.
"I should, to be very specific, it is not the first true high speed rail to break ground, what I mean by that is it will, we project, be the first high speed rail to be in service."
He said that's due to its unique path, and as a result, the Las Vegas high speed rail is aiming to be finished in 2028 for the LA summer Olympics.
As for the California high speed rail...
"The north south project, which we also believe in, are investing in, but recognize has a much more complex right of way picture, is on a longer timeline than the Brightline West Project," said Buttigieg.
In regards to the state regulations and the supply chain, Valadao also said when it comes to locomotives, the EPA has reported that only a small percent of greenhouse gas emissions are actually coming from them.
Still, Buttigieg said his department's job just tries to balnce between what will lead to less environmental harm, while hopefully keeping supply chains efficient and green.