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Yesterday, a partnership of government agencies and private businesses launched a demonstration project for a locomotive emission treatment system at Union Pacific Railroad’s Roseville, Calif., yard.

Comprising UP, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, South Coast Air Quality Management District, city of Roseville, California Air Resources Board, Placer County Air Pollution Control District and system developer Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc., the partners are spending $1.7 million to test the Advanced Locomotive Emission Control System (ALECS), which applies technology used to capture and treat industrial plant emissions to locomotives.

ALECS features a stationary emissions treatment unit connected to diesel locomotives with flexible ducts and a hood that fits over, and attaches to, exhaust stacks. The system aims to reduce sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions by 99 percent, nitrogen oxide emissions by 95 percent and water-soluble volatile organic compounds by 50 percent.

The partners will test ALECS on two locomotive types and units that are idling or undergoing engine load tests. Test results will be released in November.

Following the Roseville demonstration, the system will be reconfigured as the Advanced Maritime Emissions Control System and tested at the Port of Long Beach.