Canadian government proposes locomotive emissions regs

The Canadian government has proposed its first-ever regulations to limit locomotive emissions.

Developed under Canada's Railway Safety Act, the proposed regs would limit air pollutant emissions, also known as "criteria air contaminants," from locomotives operated by railroads under federal jurisdiction through "increasingly stringent emission standards and reduced idling," according to a Transport Canada press release. The emission standards, which were published June 18 in the Canada Gazette, set out in the proposed regs will "align with those of the United States," the agency added.

Canada and the United States also are working together on approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from locomotives under the Canada-U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council, the agency said.

"Aligning locomotive emission standards with the U.S. will provide regulatory certainty for the rail industry and improve the efficiency of the North American transportation system," Minister of Transport Marc Garneau said, adding that the regulations would "lead to environmental benefits that protect the health of Canadians and advance green technologies."

Stakeholders and the public have until Sept. 15 to provide feedback on the proposed regulations. Transport Canada then will consider the comments received, finalize the regs and publish them in the Canada Gazette.