On Thursday, November 13, 2003, 9:00 AM, the City Council Public Safety and Public Services Committee will consider adopting a resolution similar to that adopted by the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors on May 6, 2003, urging the California Public Utility Commission and the Federal Railroad Administration to adopt regulations to ensure that the safety of Richmond citizens is not at risk by the use of remote controlled locomotives.

The use of remote controlled locomotives, which appears to be coming to Richmond, is controversial. See TOM BUTT E-FORUM September 9, 2003. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers is a source of information in opposition, and the Association of American Railroads is a source of information in favor. Clearly, neither source is unbiased. Information is also available from the Federal Railroad Administration.

Information on the issue from BNSF may be obtained from: Juan Acosta, Director, Government Affairs, Burlington Northern & Santa Fe Railway, 916-448-4086 (Tel), 916-448-8937 (Fax), Juan.Acosta@BNSF.com.