Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) and a coalition of elected officials, civic organizations, and the New York League of Conservation Voters, have secured $3 million in this year’s State Budget to start cleaning up old, polluting train locomotives.

The allocation will fund a pilot project that will upgrade the first in a number of antiquated high-emissions trains owned and leased out by the Long Island Rail Road for the purpose of hauling freight. The fleet, currently equipped with antiquated engines that spew toxic emissions consistent with standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) for 1970’s locomotives, operate throughout Queens, Brooklyn, and Long Island carrying waste and cargo near residents’ backyards, schools, parks, and beaches.

The pilot project will repower one train locomotive to meet contemporary EPA Tier 3 emissions standards. The benefits of this single upgrade are expected to amount to an annual reduction in nitrogen oxide, a known by product of diesel engines linked to lung infections among myriad diseases, by up to 76%, or 120 tons of emissions over 10 years.

The coalition plans to continue petitioning the state until all necessary fleet upgrades have been completed.

The funding allocation for this pilot upgrade project was a top transportation and environmental priority in the FY2013-2014 Assembly one-house budget led by Speaker Sheldon Silver. The project received bipartisan support in both the Assembly and Senate, as an issue of environmental justice for communities disproportionately affected by reduced air quality. By providing funding for these upgrades, a public precedent has been set acknowledging the pressing need to combat pollution caused by antiquated locomotives.

"This is the first win in what will be an ongoing fight to protect the health of countless families in the Boroughs of New York and on Long Island,” Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi (D-Queens) said. “Our success would not have been possible without bipartisan support from concerned legislators in both houses, Speaker Sheldon Silver, the New York League of Conservation Voters, my Majority Senate colleagues, and the tireless efforts of the community activists in Civics United for Railroad Environmental Solutions. By shining a bright light on this problem, this coalition has made clean rail transport a priority in New York State.”

“This pilot project sets the stage for clean air breakthroughs in New York City and across Long Island,” said Marcia Bystryn, President of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “It also underscores the progress we can make when both houses of the Legislature work together to forge commonsense solutions that protect our health and environment. We salute Assemblyman Hevesi and lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate for this important victory.”

"These trains greatly reduce truck traffic on our roadways but this crucial service comes with an unfortunate side effect: pollution," said Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. "This is a quality of life issue and this funding is good for our environment, our neighborhoods, and our families."

“CURES civics, Community Board 5, Queens, and our elected officials have been knocking on the state's door, asking for replacement of their old, high-polluting trains since 2009,” Mary Parison of CURES said. “Assemblyman Hevesi's tireless work has turned the key in the lock. The Assemblyman has landed us in a new era, where the question is how the state will upgrade freight rail, not if they should do it.”

"I am pleased to have been a part in advocating for cleaner diesel locomotives through Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island," said Assemblymember Jim Brennan. "Brooklyn residents along the freight line will see reduced pollution including those living in neighborhoods such as Bay Ridge, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Midwood, Flatbush and East Flatbush."

Assemblywoman Margaret Markey (30th A.D. – Maspeth), said, “This appropriation formally acknowledges the long-standing responsibility of New York State to bring relief to families who live along the railroad lines in Maspeth and Middle Village. As a senior member of the Assembly, Chair of the Tourism-Parks Committee and member of the joint Assembly/Senate Transportation Conference Committee, I am proud that funding for upgraded locomotives was part of the final budget. This change will mean cleaner air and better health for local families as the entire fleet of LIRR locomotives is upgraded over the coming years.”

“I congratulate Assemblyman Hevesi, Speaker Silver, and NYLCV for an impressive achievement, and am proud to have supported this important funding,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY). “$3 million for freight upgrades will kickstart an essential program to modernize our rail infrastructure, making it greener, more sustainable, and friendlier to local communities. As all rail freight supporters know, rail is by far the greener approach to moving freight around the region, and it’s critical to invest in this sustainable transportation for the future.”

"Noise and pollution from increased rail traffic can be mitigated by implementing 21st Century technology,” Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley said. “The pilot program in this year's state budget allocates funds to replace decades old locomotives with greener engines, and it is another step forward in improving the quality of life for residents along the rail corridor. I thank Assemblyman Hevesi and the state legislature for funding this program and will continue working with my colleagues in City, State, and Federal government for long-term, environmentally friendly solutions for rail traffic."

“This pilot upgrade project is terrific news in our effort to combat pollution, improve air quality and better protect the environment” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “Thanks to Assemblyman Hevesi, Speaker Silver and the League of Conservation Voters for all their work in securing these important funds.”

"Residents in the neighborhoods of Glendale, Ridgewood and Middle Village have been complaining for several years about the round-the-clock noise and poor air quality. We have the worst engines possible and the oldest in the fleet do the most damage. The funding will upgrade the locomotives and provide much needed relief to our communities", said Assemblyman Mike Miller.

“A $3 million allocation to help reduce pollution and repower at least one antiquated locomotive puts us on the right track to protect vulnerable communities,” said Queens Borough President Helen Marshall. “I was happy to support Assemblyman Hevesi and other elected officials and civic leaders in a combined effort to get this pilot project moving since we are seeing an increase in rail transportation that can raise harmful pollutants from diesel freight locomotives.”