Sec. 9221. Amtrak carbon-free and renewable energy initiatives
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Chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following new section: Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act , Amtrak shall— develop a greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy plan that sets forth a goal of, a strategy for achieving, and potential timelines and funding requirements for— becoming a net-zero carbon emissions transportation provider; and achieving net-zero carbon emissions with respect to Amtrak operations within the Northeast Corridor; submit the plan to the Secretary of Transportation, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate; and publish the plan on Amtrak’s website.
The plan developed under paragraph
(1)shall contain— at least 1 option for becoming a net-zero carbon emissions transportation provider not later than January 1, 2035; and at least 1 option for achieving net-zero carbon emissions with respect to Amtrak operations within the Northeast Corridor not later than January 1, 2030. After submission and publication of the plan developed under paragraph (1), Amtrak shall include in each general and legislative annual report required under section 24315(b), an update on Amtrak’s progress towards— becoming a net-zero carbon emissions transportation provider; and achieving net-zero carbon emissions with respect to Amtrak operations within the Northeast Corridor. The update required under subparagraph
(A)may include recommendations for legislative changes or changes to funding levels likely to increase the rate of Amtrak’s progress. Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act , Amtrak shall ensure that any new or renewed contract between Amtrak and a provider of electricity that is used to meet the needs of train traction power or rail facility power requires that an amount equal to or greater that 25 percent of such electricity is derived from carbon-free or renewable energy sources. Amtrak shall establish goals for increasing the energy source requirements described in paragraph (1), including a goal of requiring— at least 50 percent of electricity derived from such sources for new or renewed contracts entered into beginning 5 years after the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act ; and 100 percent of electricity derived from such sources for new or renewed contracts entered into on or after January 1, 2030. The requirements of paragraph
(1)shall not apply in any case in which— no provider of electricity is able to provide the necessary levels of carbon-free or renewable energy; compliance with such requirements would adversely affect Amtrak’s operations or quality of service to an unreasonable degree; or compliance with such requirements would cause an increase of at least 50 percent in total cost of electricity, as compared to the total cost of electricity Amtrak would otherwise have acquired. Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of the TRAIN Act , Amtrak shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a report that identifies opportunities to further increase Amtrak’s use of carbon-free and renewable energy for train traction power needs and facility power needs. . The analysis for chapter 243 of title 49, United States Code, is further amended by adding at the end the following: 24327. Amtrak carbon-free and renewable energy initiatives. .