OTTAWA, Ont. — The Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) reported another study for Environment Canada is evidence the Canadian railways are failing to reduce pollution.

The report conducted by International Transportation Technology (ITT) also suggests that railway emissions are being under-reported and that the introduction of higher power locomotives may be increasing fuel efficiency, but is contributing to a relative increase in emissions.

Unlike truck engines and fuels, emissions from railway locomotive engines and diesel fuel are not regulated in Canada. In 1999, the power to regulate railway emissions was transferred to Transport Canada and transport minister, David Collenette, has stated that he will decide whether or not to regulate the railways by the end of this year.

In the ITT study, the emissions of the 1,744 locomotives in Canadian freight service during 2000 concluded there had been considerable change in the Canadian locomotive fleet, particularly with the high-powered locomotives replacing the older units on a two-for-three basis. Despite consuming less fuel, the newer diesel engines produce more emissions per unit of fuel consumed.

The study also revealed that emissions of nitrous oxides (which contribute to respiratory and other problems) were being under-reported by about 7 per cent per year.