WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which regulates harmful emissions from all modes of transportation, is reviewing an exemption granted to Canadian locomotives.

The “incidental forays” clause was granted in 2000, but the problem is that the term “incidental forays” was never defined.

Due to an increase in cross border freight movements and the purchase of U.S. railroads by Canadian firms, the EPA is reexamining the matter. In recent correspondence to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, the EPA states it has been, “prompted to consider a route or distance standard for determining when a locomotive is imported into the U.S and must meet EPA standards.”

Currently, the Canadian federal government does not specifically regulate railway locomotive engine emissions or fuel, but has committed to examining the issue. At the same time, emissions from truck engines have been regulated since the ’70s and the Canadian federal government has adopted regulations that mirror the U.S. rules.