U.S. Reps. Mike Doyle (D-PA) and Conor Lamb (D-PA), a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, recently introduced the Freight Rail Innovation Act.
The bill would establish a Freight Rail Innovation Institute to develop zero-emission locomotives. Specifically, it would develop technologies that enhance freight rail safety, efficiency, and utilization and technologies necessary for the design, development, manufacturing, and operation of zero-emission battery and hydrogen-powered freight locomotives.
It also would accelerate the deployment of zero-emission locomotives, including advanced freight and logistics systems; related workforce development and education innovations; supply chains; and passenger locomotives.
A 50 percent nonfederal match is required in the bill, as is Buy America and Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements for institute grant recipients.
“Investing in innovative technologies like fuel cell locomotives and more efficient rail operations won’t just make our freight transportation sector the cleanest in the world, it will enable us to move more freight, grow our economy, and create thousands of new good-paying jobs,” Doyle said.
The institute would be comprised of a locomotive manufacturer and a university research partner.
The Transportation secretary would create the institute no later than six months after the bill’s enactment in coordination with the Energy secretary.
U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.