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California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project Sets New Standard for Environmental Responsibility in High-Speed Rail
Emits no direct greenhouse gas emissions; far fewer pollutants than traditional forms of ground transportation
Challenges DesertXpress to reconsider decision not to comply with state and local land use, permitting and environmental laws
City of Newport Beach latest to endorse the maglev project
June 30, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
The California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project (CNIMP) operating between Las Vegas and Anaheim will be among the greenest transportation systems in the world, emitting no direct greenhouse gas emissions and resulting in far fewer pollutants than traditional forms of ground transportation, the Commission overseeing its development announced here today. Maglev technology is approximately 20 percent more energy efficient than steel-on-wheel transportation when traveling at the same speed.[i]
To help build a high-speed rail system that both protects the environment and addresses the growing congestion issue along I-15, the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission (CNSSTC) today also challenged DesertXpress to reconsider its decision not to comply with state and local environmental and land use laws.
Unlike the maglev project, DesertXpress received an exemption from complying with state and local land use, permitting and other environmental laws through a Surface Transportation Board (STB) ruling in 2007. The CNIMP is committed to complying with such laws, which includes the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The CNIMP corridor, with connection to three airports in the region, will address the congestion issue along I-15 by providing quality passenger service to an estimated 43 million passengers annually by 2025 - the equivalent of an 8-lane freeway moving at a constant speed of 60 mph, or 295 fully loaded 747s landing at LAX each day. DesertXpress has announced plans to terminate service in the high-desert community of Victorville, nearly 80 miles short of Anaheim, leaving travelers to deal with anywhere between 2-3 hours of heavy traffic in Southern California.
In 2004, the Commission under the sponsorship of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) commenced an environmental impact statement (EIS) under federal law and an environmental impact report (EIR) under California law. This is in contrast to DesertXpress, which believes it is exempt from complying with EIR requirements.
In April, the American Magline Group (AMG) certified matching funds to the Nevada Department of Transportation for the $45 million currently available to the project to complete an Environmental Impact Study, already in the third and final phase.
The Commission today also announced that the City of Newport Beach has joined Anaheim, Ontario, Barstow and the Orange County Transportation Authority in endorsing the maglev project. In a recent letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the California congressional delegation, Newport Beach Mayor Edward Selich highlighted the need to address the highway congestion issue, saying, “considering the amount of growth estimated in Southern California over the next 20 years, the maglev system will play an important role in upgrading the infrastructure capacity of the region.”
Last month, former Nevada Governors Miller and Guinn encouraged bi-partisan support for the project, noting the environmental, technological and economic benefits of an interstate maglev system: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/24/former-governors-press-maglev/.
Quotes:
“We owe it to our children and grandchildren to build a 21st Century high-speed rail system that sets a new standard for improving our shared environment,” said Ken Kevorkian, Vice-Chairman of the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission. “This means not only avoiding shortcuts and committing to complying with all necessary environmental and land use regulations, but also making it a priority to exceed them whenever possible.”
“As we decide which system best fits the needs of the people of Southern California and Nevada, we have an opportunity to help lead the transition to a greener, more efficient low-carbon economy,” said Bruce Aguilera, Chairman of the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission. “It is critical that we set an example for others in the nation to follow.”
###
Contact:
Erica Fitzsimmons
(202)347-7445
efitzsimmons@theheraldgroup.com
California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project Sets New Standard for Environmental Responsibility in High-Speed Rail
Emits no direct greenhouse gas emissions; far fewer pollutants than traditional forms of ground transportation
Challenges DesertXpress to reconsider decision not to comply with state and local land use, permitting and environmental laws
City of Newport Beach latest to endorse the maglev project
June 30, 2009
Las Vegas, NV
The California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project (CNIMP) operating between Las Vegas and Anaheim will be among the greenest transportation systems in the world, emitting no direct greenhouse gas emissions and resulting in far fewer pollutants than traditional forms of ground transportation, the Commission overseeing its development announced here today. Maglev technology is approximately 20 percent more energy efficient than steel-on-wheel transportation when traveling at the same speed.[i]
To help build a high-speed rail system that both protects the environment and addresses the growing congestion issue along I-15, the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission (CNSSTC) today also challenged DesertXpress to reconsider its decision not to comply with state and local environmental and land use laws.
Unlike the maglev project, DesertXpress received an exemption from complying with state and local land use, permitting and other environmental laws through a Surface Transportation Board (STB) ruling in 2007. The CNIMP is committed to complying with such laws, which includes the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The CNIMP corridor, with connection to three airports in the region, will address the congestion issue along I-15 by providing quality passenger service to an estimated 43 million passengers annually by 2025 - the equivalent of an 8-lane freeway moving at a constant speed of 60 mph, or 295 fully loaded 747s landing at LAX each day. DesertXpress has announced plans to terminate service in the high-desert community of Victorville, nearly 80 miles short of Anaheim, leaving travelers to deal with anywhere between 2-3 hours of heavy traffic in Southern California.
In 2004, the Commission under the sponsorship of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) commenced an environmental impact statement (EIS) under federal law and an environmental impact report (EIR) under California law. This is in contrast to DesertXpress, which believes it is exempt from complying with EIR requirements.
In April, the American Magline Group (AMG) certified matching funds to the Nevada Department of Transportation for the $45 million currently available to the project to complete an Environmental Impact Study, already in the third and final phase.
The Commission today also announced that the City of Newport Beach has joined Anaheim, Ontario, Barstow and the Orange County Transportation Authority in endorsing the maglev project. In a recent letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and the California congressional delegation, Newport Beach Mayor Edward Selich highlighted the need to address the highway congestion issue, saying, “considering the amount of growth estimated in Southern California over the next 20 years, the maglev system will play an important role in upgrading the infrastructure capacity of the region.”
Last month, former Nevada Governors Miller and Guinn encouraged bi-partisan support for the project, noting the environmental, technological and economic benefits of an interstate maglev system: http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/24/former-governors-press-maglev/.
Quotes:
“We owe it to our children and grandchildren to build a 21st Century high-speed rail system that sets a new standard for improving our shared environment,” said Ken Kevorkian, Vice-Chairman of the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission. “This means not only avoiding shortcuts and committing to complying with all necessary environmental and land use regulations, but also making it a priority to exceed them whenever possible.”
“As we decide which system best fits the needs of the people of Southern California and Nevada, we have an opportunity to help lead the transition to a greener, more efficient low-carbon economy,” said Bruce Aguilera, Chairman of the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission. “It is critical that we set an example for others in the nation to follow.”
###
Contact:
Erica Fitzsimmons
(202)347-7445
efitzsimmons@theheraldgroup.com
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