H.R. 3194: Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act

This bill, titled the "Lifting Overburdensome Commerce Obstructions and Motives Act" or "LOCOMOTIVES Act," proposes to amend the Clean Air Act in a specific way related to locomotives. Here are the key points of what the bill aims to accomplish:

Prohibition on State Emission Standards

The main focus of the bill is to prevent individual states from enacting their own standards or regulations concerning emissions from existing locomotives and the engines used in them.

Amendments to Existing Legislation

The bill proposes changes to Section 209(e)(1) of the Clean Air Act. The specific amendments include:

• Removal of Specific Language: The bill removes certain phrases that would otherwise limit the types of engines and vehicles that states could regulate regarding emissions.
• Clarification of Types of Engines: The bill clarifies which engines and locomotives are covered under federal regulation, particularly emphasizing those engaged in commerce.
• Scope of Regulation: It states that locomotives and their engines that are involved in providing common carrier railroad transportation for compensation fall under this federal regulation, thereby exempting them from state-level restrictions.

Impact on Commerce

By prohibiting state emission standards for these locomotives, the bill is designed to ensure a uniform regulatory approach across the country for the railroad industry. This regulation could be viewed as aiming to reduce the compliance burden on companies that operate locomotives and potentially simplify their operations across different states.

Overall Objective

The overarching objective of the LOCOMOTIVES Act is to facilitate commerce by removing what the sponsors view as unnecessary obstacles posed by varying state regulations on emissions from locomotives. The bill seeks to create a standardized regulation framework for emissions from locomotives at the federal level.

Relevant Companies

• CSX Corporation (CSX): A major freight railroad company that operates locomotives providing transportation services. Changes in emission regulations could directly impact their compliance costs and operational efficiency.
• Union Pacific Corporation (UNP): Another significant freight railroad company, similar to CSX, that would benefit from uniform regulations across states, potentially reducing their regulatory compliance burden.
• BNSF Railway (owned by Berkshire Hathaway, BRK.A/BRK.B): This railroad company provides freight transportation services and could face fewer regulatory hurdles, potentially affecting its operational strategies.