Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

AB 32 is a law passed and signed into law in California back in September 27, 2006. Its goal is to reduce the state’s emission of carbon back to 1990 levels by 2020. This law has broad bi-partisan support. Environmentalists support the law because it would clean the air and they believe by lowering carbon levels it would prevent climate change. Other people support the law because it would reduce California’s and the Nation’s dependence on oil, particularly foreign oil. Supporting AB 32 is George Shultz. George Shultz was in the Cabinet of both Presidents Nixon and Reagan. He was Secretary of State under Reagan. Before that he was a Marine Corps Officer during World War II and a Professor of Economics. Mr. Shultz believes reducing oil dependence is critical to American Security. Shell Oil with headquarters in Europe supports AB 32. Such legislation is common in Europe and many other countries around the world. The other major oil companies: Chevron, ConocoPhillips, BP and ExxonMobil are neutral about AB 32.

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Who will build this train?   September 9th, 2010

Interesting Quote from the June issue of Railway Age Magazine article “Who will build this train?”

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How About a High Speed San Joaquin?   September 9th, 2010

Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

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Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

The California High Speed Rail Authority (CAHSRA) has been often criticized over the high costs and intrusive aspects of some of the alternative routings for the HSR project. In response to problems poised by alternatives for the route between Los Angeles and Anaheim the CEO of LAMETRO Art Leahy and the CEO of the OCTA Will Kempton co-signed a letter to CAHSRA asking for a new and less intrusive alternative last March. On July 8th the CAHSRA released a new alternative following many of the suggestions of the local agencies servicing the Los Angeles to Anaheim route. The result was a much more economical and practical alternative which was much less intrusive for nearby property owners.

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Opinion by Noel T. Braymer

In terms of routing there is general agreement about the HSR project from Southern California as far north as Fresno. Combinations of publicly owned rail and road rights of way and cooperation with the BNSF has the route largely laid out up to Calwa Yard in Fresno. The City of Fresno wants a HSR station in the general area of the old SP Train Station in downtown Fresno. The same is true for the city of Modesto and is an option in Merced. The problem is the refusal of the Union Pacific to cooperate with any discussion of HSR service on their right of way. There is an opinion held by many that UP’s stance is just a bargaining ploy to wring out the maximum price for use of their rights of way from the CAHSRA. I think that is a gross misreading of the UP’s management thinking and shows ignorance of the history of American railroading.

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Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

In the aftermath of the BP Oil gusher in the Gulf of Mexico, now in its 3rd month the President is talking about a new Energy Policy. President Obama is calling for less dependence on oil. But every President since 1974 starting with President Nixon has called for energy independence and decried this country’s dependence on oil. What is needed to make this time different? When you talk about oil, you have to talk about transportation. This county consumes 25% of the world’s oil production. Two thirds of the oil consumed in this Country is used for transportation and of that 45 percent alone is for gasoline.

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Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

First there was the explosion on April 5th in Montcoal, West Virginia at the Upper Big Branch Coal Mine which killed 29 miners. The cause of the deadly explosion was a build up of coal dust and methane gas which is very explosive if there is an ignition source. It was latter reported that the mine owned by the Massey Coal Company had a long history of ventilation problems and other safety issues.Not only this mine but several mines owned by Massey had been repeatedly fined by Federal safety inspectors which the company ignored and refused to pay.

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Comments by Noel T. Braymer

Governor Schwarzenegger recently proposed service between Los Angeles, Anaheim and San Diego in 2 hours and 10 minutes. This will be a “demonstration project” to give Californians a taste of Higher Speed Rail. So far there haven’t been many more facts about this project beyond a deadline of November, 2 months before the end of the Governor’s term and that European equipment would be used that will require FRA waivers to be used here.

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Editorial by Noel T. Braymer

Raising money for any transportation project, but particularly rail passenger service is always difficult. Adding to the difficulties are the high price tags for many rail projects. Already there is increasing concern about the price tag for the California High Speed Rail project. There are estimates of 6 billion dollars for construction for just 34 miles between Anaheim and Los Angeles. Such a short segment will provide limited service but is being considered for the first leg to have passenger service. Have we seen this before?

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Editorial By Noel T. Braymer

Transportation is second only to housing of the cost of living for most people. Flying today often means crowded planes, long waits because of annoying security searches and sudden cancellations. Rail passenger service what little there is of it is no less subject to disruption. Generally we are dependent on our cars. But driving is increasingly becoming a more expensive hassle with rising fuel prices (often caused by Wall Street speculation) high auto repair bills plus crowded and often poorly maintained roads.

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