Congressman Jay Obernolte Co-Sponsors LOCOMOTIVES Act to Prevent California from Imposing Stricter Rail Regulations
Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), alongside Congressmen John Moolenaar (R-MI) and Craig Goldman (R-TX), has co-sponsored the LOCOMOTIVES Act. This legislation, which recently passed the House Committee on Energy and Commerce with a 26-23 vote, aims to prevent the State of California from imposing regulations on trains crossing into the state that are stricter than federal emission standards. The bill revises Section 209 of the Clean Air Act, which currently allows states like California to request waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt more stringent environmental policies. Congressman Obernolte stated that a single state should not dictate unworkable mandates for the national rail system and emphasized the act's role in protecting jobs and investment in his district, including the Barstow International Gateway, by ensuring consistent federal standards. 
