The Associated Press
IN BRIEF
PHOENIX – A bill to require new state reviews of new railroad projects, including a new switching yard planned by Union Pacific in southern Arizona, is picking up steam at the Arizona Legislature.
The Senate on Tuesday gave the bill a 17-7 endorsement on a preliminary vote. Senate passage on a formal vote would return the bill to the House for expected acceptance of the Senate’s changes.
“This is just merely granting citizens and communities the opportunity to discuss it with them,” said Sen. Paula Aboud, D-Tucson.
Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, the other major freight railroad serving Arizona, have objected to the bill, saying it would have the state tread in a regulatory area reserved for the federal government.
The Associated Press