AB 823: High-Speed Rail Authority: trains powered by fossil fuel combustion engines.

The California High-Speed Rail Act creates the High-Speed Rail Authority to develop and implement a high-speed rail system in the state, with specified powers and duties. Existing law requires the high-speed rail system to be designed to use electric trains. Existing law authorizes the authority, upon receiving legislative or voter approval, to enter into contracts with private or public entities for the design, construction, and operation of high-speed trains.

This bill would prohibit the authority from directly or indirectly using local, state, federal, or any other public or private funding to purchase, lease, operate, or maintain a passenger or freight train powered by a diesel engine or other type of fossil fuel combustion engine, and from enabling such a train to operate on authority-owned rail infrastructure designed for speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour, except as specified.