California high-speed panel publishes sustainability report

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has issued its annual sustainability report, which provides an update on the approach to the design, construction and operation of the state's future high-speed rail system.

The report highlights a range of topics including energy, natural resources, infrastructure, station communities, and business and management.

"The Authority is committed to ensuring that high-speed rail is delivered in a responsible manner that not only sets a new bar for sustainable construction in California, but also provides a much-needed boost to local economies and California's small businesses," said Dan Richard, chairman of the authority's board, in a press release. "From requiring clean construction equipment at our job sites to recycling construction materials, this report proves that in the last year, we have continued to meet and exceed our goals and look for areas of improvement.”

The high-speed rail system will rely on 100 percent renewable energy to run the trains and facilities, authority officials said. Station performance requirements have been established to achieve net-zero energy, meaning that each year stations will produce as much energy onsite as they consume.

Additionally, the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by riders using the system between San Francisco through the Central Valley and to Los Angeles/Anaheim is projected to be equivalent to removing 285,000 motor vehicles off the roads.