Sierra Club issues 'Updated Rail Transportation Statement'

"Effective rail transportation is essential to avert the worst effects of human-caused climate change. Increasing the mode share of passenger and freight transportation to rail will result in many environmental, economic and social benefits. Rail transportation is inherently much more energy efficient than road transport, especially for freight. Shifting to rail not only has environmental benefits but economic ones as well..."

With this exhaustive 50-page document the Sierra Club calls for Open Access to the rail network and electrification of freight and passenger rail. In addition, the Report is labor friendly and acknowledges many of the issues of importance to railroad workers today (see Pages 30-31).

In general the Report does a fantastic job of explaining the frustrating status quo in North American rail while laying out a bright - possible - future. Smarter use of rail is a tool for the human environment, social justice, preserving the middle class, as well as offering greater access to shippers to what should always be the best choice for moving freight. In the process, tens of thousands of good union rail jobs would be created.

Railroad Workers United will continue our work to build effective coalitions with Sierra Club and other environmental/community organizations that support expanded rail service and improved labor conditions. While at times we may have our differences, there is a lot that we can agree on and work towards together.