"Local Agencies Can't Limit Train Emissions, Court Rules"

"Air quality watchdogs in Southern California can't impose limits on emissions from idling trains because they could interfere with interstate commerce that the federal government regulates, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.

The decision dealt a blow to attempts by air quality regulators in the Los Angeles region, who have been attempting to limit emissions in the densely populated areas around San Pedro Bay ports, through which 40% of the nation's containerized cargo flows. Emissions from trains, trucks and ships carrying the freight out to the rest of the country have been blamed for 2,100 early deaths each year, according to statistics from the California Air Resources Board.

The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a previous decision from the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California."

Carol J. Williams reports for the Los Angeles Times September 16, 2010.