Grant Orientation for Zero Emission Rail Operation (GO ZERO) Program
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On April 27, 2023, the Board directed CARB staff to continue outreach efforts to ensure that affected industry are aware of the requirements of the Locomotive Regulation, with a focus on Class III and industrial operators, and available incentive funding opportunities (Resolution 23-12). In Response to this Resolution, CARB launched the GO ZERO Program in November 2023 to raise awareness of funding opportunities and available zero emission technologies as well as to assist California's small locomotive operators with grant applications. The 2024 round of GO ZERO focused on funds from the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) Program and the State Volkswagen Environmental Mitigation Trust (VW) Program to replace existing locomotives with zero emission equipment at low to no cost to the operators.
For more information, please review slides from the November 1, 2023, webinar.
Program Status
October 2024
On October 29, 2024, the FRA announced the FY2023-2024 CRISI recipients which includes CARB's joint application. The joint application was submitted in collaboration with Pacific Harbor Line, Watco, and Sacramento Valley Railroad. The joint application was awarded up to $36.5 million to replace 10 diesel locomotives with 9 ZE battery-electric locomotives and one hydrogen fuel cell locomotives and installation of four battery chargers throughout California. Pacific Harbor Line will acquire 5 battery-electric locomotives and two battery chargers. Watco will acquire 4 battery-electric locomotives and two battery chargers. Sacramento Valley Railroad will acquire one hydrogen fuel cell locomotive.
May 2024
On May 31, 2024, CARB submitted a joint application for the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. The application requests federal funding to replace 10 diesel locomotives with zero-emission (ZE) battery-electric and hydrogen fuel cell locomotives and for the installation of 4 ZE battery chargers. Replacing diesel locomotives with ZE locomotives will result in a substantial reduction of emissions and noise while providing significant benefits to surrounding communities. In addition to emissions and noise reductions, the GO ZERO project's goal is to increase industry acceptance of ZE locomotive technologies and serve as examples of the capability of ZE locomotives to help bring confidence to rail operators.