Atlanta, GA — In an op-ed published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Georgia Transportation Alliance Executive Director Seth Millican outlined why a rail policy being considered by the Environmental Protection Agency would harm supply chains and work against Georgia’s increasing reliance on rail:
“Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp recently approved $1.5 billion in transportation funding as part of his fiscal 2024 and 2025 budgets, allocating money to grow Georgia’s freight and logistics network. At the same time, HB 617, sponsored by House Transportation Chairman Rick Jasperse, R-Jasper, and Senate Transportation Chairman Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, would create a statewide freight and logistics implementation program, guiding Georgia’s infrastructure investments in our critical supply chain industry… However, much of this progress could be slowed if the federal government adopts California’s recent harmful railroad emissions proposal.”
He highlights potential impacts to Georgia ports:
“Since opening the Mason Mega Rail terminal — the largest on-dock rail facility in North America — Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) has consistently marked record volumes. GPA is now building a second inland rail terminal in Gainesville to link Northeast Georgia with the Port of Savannah via daily rail service. But the financial burdens of CARB compliance could undercut what railroads are able to spend on their infrastructure — jeopardizing our state plans that emphasize rail connectivity.”
