An Act To Prohibit Excessive Idling of Passenger Trains
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 23 MRSA §5006 is enacted to read:
§ 5006. Prolonged passenger train engine operation
1. Prolonged passenger train engine operation. Beginning January 1, 2016, except for engine operation under subsection 2, a railroad company may not operate a passenger train engine while the passenger train is stopped for longer than 30 minutes.
2. Exceptions. This section does not apply to a passenger train engine that is:
A. Being repaired or serviced if the operation of the train engine is essential to the proper repair of the train engine; or
B. Engaged in the delivery or acceptance of merchandise or a passenger for which engine-assisted power is necessary and another means of power is unavailable.
3. Penalty; enforcement. A railroad company that violates this section commits a civil violation for which a fine of $2,500 must be adjudged. The Attorney General may bring an action seeking injunctive relief to enforce the provisions of this section.
summary
This bill prohibits a passenger train engine from operating for more than 30 minutes while the train is stopped except for during repairs or servicing requiring the engine to be running or delivering or accepting merchandise or passengers requiring engine-assisted power and includes a fine of $2,500 for a violation of these provisions.