Sec. 4. Green Railroads Fund
925 words·~4 min read·
/bill/118/s/5569/is/section-4A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, may award grants to eligible entities described in subsection
(c)to enable or improve electrified rail operations. To apply for a grant under this section an eligible entity shall submit an application to the Secretary in such manner as the Secretary may reasonably require. Each application submitted in accordance with paragraph
(1)shall include— a plan for robust engagement that details a public notice process that requires— notification online and in relevant print sources written in languages used within the area reasonably affected by the proposed grant; opportunities for public meetings and comment; and other information relevant to the project to be made publicly available; a plan that details how— the project will safeguard or improve the local environment and public health; and environmental and public health stressors will be monitored and minimized during the project; a description of wage and apprenticeship requirements for individuals employed to construct, operate, and maintain rail electrification infrastructure; and a transition plan that examines the impact of the proposed project on the workforce of the eligible entity, including— identifying skills gaps, training needs, and retraining needs of the workforce; a plan to operate and maintain infrastructure of the project using existing insourced workforce; a plan to avoid displacement of the workforce and to transition any displaced workers to new jobs created by the project; identifying the steps the eligible entity will take to offset any identified negative impact or potential displacement of the workforce, including how the entity will use the funds from the grant and its own funding to implement the transition plan; and a description of how the eligible entity will work with any organizations representing the workforce to implement the transition plan. An eligible entity described in this subsection is any of the following: A State. A group of States. An interstate compact. A public agency or a publicly chartered authority established by one or more States. A political subdivision of a State. Amtrak or any other rail carrier that provides intercity rail passenger transportation. A class I railroad in partnership with at least 1 of the entities described in paragraphs
(1)through (5). A class II or III railroad. A federally recognized Indian Tribe. A rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with at least 1 of the entities described in paragraphs
(1)through (5). A public utility. A nonprofit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors. An eligible entity awarded a grant under this section may use funds from such grant— to purchase railroad lines and right of way from other railroads that host Amtrak or other intercity passenger rail transportation for new electrification infrastructure; to rebuild or improve existing locomotives, trains, or MU locomotives to enable such trains and locomotives to use electrification infrastructure; to install or improve existing rail electrification infrastructure; to build new rail corridors with electrification infrastructure; to update rail yards by adding electrification infrastructure; to lease or acquire an easement along a right of way for electrification infrastructure; to purchase or lease electric locomotives, MU locomotives, and trains or rolling stock; to ensure new electrification infrastructure is climate resilient; to engage in robust engagement with communities; and for workforce development and training to support the maintenance, deployment, and operation of electric locomotives, MU locomotives, and trains. A project funded by a grant awarded under this section shall— use project labor agreements; use enforceable agreements to hire from local communities; and for any freight train or light engine used in connection with the movement of freight, require a crew consisting of at least 2 individuals, one of whom is certified under regulations promulgated by the Administration as a locomotive engineer pursuant to section 20135 of title 49, United States Code, and the other of whom is certified under regulations promulgated by the Administration as a conductor pursuant to section 20163 of title 49, United States Code. In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to projects that will— produce air quality benefits in environmental justice communities; and expand high performance passenger rail. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section and is eligible for other rail grant programs described by this Act shall receive priority for additional funding under such programs for rail electrification infrastructure projects. Entities awarded grants under other programs in this Act may be awarded a grant under this section when applicable. The Secretary, in coordination with the Administrator, and in consultation with the Department of Energy, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and any other agency deemed relevant by the Secretary and the Administrator, shall conduct a study to evaluate the feasibility, benefits, equity impacts, and challenges of co-locating high-voltage transmission infrastructure alongside rail corridors as part of efforts to support rail electrification, expand renewable energy capacity, reduce community impacts of new infrastructure, and ensure fair access to infrastructure benefits for all communities. In carrying out the study required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may recommend the establishment of an interagency task force to facilitate ongoing coordination among Federal, state, and local, and private entities to advance projects involving transmission and rail electrification infrastructure. In carrying out the study required under paragraph (1), the Secretary may— propose a framework to designate priority corridors for co-located transmission and rail electrification projects; and recommend how such projects should be incentivized. There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $50,000,000,000 for the 5-year period beginning on October 1, 2024, to provide grants under this section.