Columbia, S.C. – Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn celebrated the announcement of $4,170,000 for the South Carolina Department of Commerce through the United States Department of Transportation Federal Railroad Administration. This funding will be utilized to improve rail safety for Palmetto Railways and allow the purchase of South Carolina’s first two zero-emission electric-powered locomotives and related charging infrastructure.
“The Biden-Harris administration has once again displayed their commitment to infrastructure development and clean energy efforts in rural communities,” said Congressman Clyburn. “This funding will enable South Carolina to set the standard for railway improvement and development throughout the nation.”
Once in use, the two zero-emission retrofitted locomotives will provide a foundation for deploying future electric-powered locomotives in Palmetto Railways’ operations. These two electric-powered locomotives will help maximize a cleaner and more energy efficient transfer and shipment of goods through Palmetto Railways’ existing North Charleston facilities along with the anticipated Navy Base Intermodal Facility which is currently under construction with S.C. Ports Authority.
This project was made possible through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which provided $1.4 billion for 70 projects across 35 states. CRISI was created by the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act. Congressman Clyburn was the only member of the South Carolina House delegation to vote for this legislation.
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