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Home My WebLink AboutCONSENT Letter re US Freight Rail1 JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO: FROM: DATE: CONSENT AGENDA REQUEST Board of County Commissioners Josh D. Peters, County Administrator February Feburary 17, 2026 SUBJECT: LETTER OF SUPPORT: U.S. Freight Rail in Upcoming Surface Transportation Reauthorization Bill STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Nate Kaplan, a representative of “GoRail,” sent the County Administrator an email on February 12 asking the following: As Congress works to finalize language in the pending surface transportation reauthorization, GoRail is inviting leaders across Washington to highlight the importance of freight rail to our communities and advocate for data-driven policies that will keep this crucial portion of the supply chain moving. Freight rail plays a central role in Washington’s economic strength, moving hundreds of millions of tons of goods each year, connecting local manufacturers, agriculture, energy producers, and ports to national and global markets. Federal policy will be critical to ensuring this system continues to operate safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively for the communities we serve. To maintain the world’s safest and most environmentally friendly freight rail system, we are asking stakeholders across the state to join us in urging Congress to: •Preserve operational flexibility and avoid one-size-fits-all federal mandates that could increase transportation costs; •Support continued investment in rail safety innovation and modern technologies; •Maintain strong federal rail grant programs that help communities improve crossings, infrastructure, and public safety. We would be honored to include you as a signer on the attached Group Letter. To join all we would need is e-mail confirmation that you would like to be included. Thank you for the consideration and please let me know if you have any questions or would like to set up a time to discuss. The letter proposed by GoRail, addressed to members of Washington State’s U.S. Senate and House delegation, is dated March 6, 2026, and attached. 2 ANALYSIS: GoRail has a website: https://gorail.org/. On that site, they describe themselves this way: Founded in 2004 on the principle that “all politics is local,” we believe that direct input from constituents is the best way to communicate with elected officials. GoRail works with thousands of community leaders across the country to tell the local story of freight rail — stronger economies, more jobs and cleaner skies. Many Americans don’t realize that freight railroads pay their own way with little help from taxpayers — to the tune of $25 billion annually, on average. These investments make American industry more competitive by maintaining and enhancing the rail network that connects companies and communities to markets all over the world. Working with the support of U.S. freight railroads and rail supply companies, our coalition of community leaders reminds Congress how freight rail investments and rail policy decisions have real impacts back home, from local jobs and economic development to air quality and road congestion. In making the decision whether to respond affirmatively to this request, the Board should consider not only the subject of the request, but the impact, if any, that joining in on this group letter may have on other, more locally specific requests of our state’s federal delegation the county has made or may make in the near future. FISCAL IMPACT: None. RECOMMENDATION: Review the request from GoRail. If amenable, direct staff to respond affirmatively to the request for support, which would authorize GoRail to list Jefferson County as a supporting agency for their proposed group letter to our state’s federal delegation. REVIEWED BY: ______________________________________ ________________ Josh D. Peters, County Administrator Date 2/12/2026 March 4, 2026 Dear Members of Washington’s U.S. Senate and House Delegation: As state and local leaders from across Washington, we urge you to support policies in the upcoming surface transportation reauthorization that preserve and strengthen freight rail—a system vital to our economy, infrastructure, and communities. Washington relies on goods movement more than most states. With a whopping 75 ports and nearly 20% of our economy tied to international trade, our state depends on freight systems that are efficient, reliable, and affordable. Freight railroads connect our ports, farms, and manufacturers to markets nationwide and around the world, playing a central role in supporting exports, jobs, and economic resilience. Our 28 freight railroads operate nearly 2,900 miles of track, moving enough freight annually to displace more than 6 million heavy trucks. This cuts down on roadway congestion, emissions, and infrastructure costs while saving taxpayer dollars. Freight rail also supports Washington’s environmental and transportation goals, preventing nearly 6 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington in a single year. As many families face affordability pressures and parts of the state navigate economic uncertainty, freight rail helps keep supply chain costs in check. Recent data shows its efficiency and scale help contain transportation costs that would otherwise raise prices on groceries, building materials, and consumer goods which is a key advantage for a trade-dependent state like Washington. We encourage Congress to protect this vital infrastructure as part of a balanced and future- focused reauthorization. 1. Sustain Proven Rail Grant Programs: Federal programs like the Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) and Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grants deliver real results for Washington communities. Washington received five awards supporting safety and mobility improvements statewide in the latest RCE round—from grade crossing upgrades in Chelan County, to corridor-wide safety studies in Aberdeen, Kent, Monroe, and a major grade separation project in Everett. These projects reduce risks and ease congestion. We urge continued support for the grant programs that enable them. 2. Avoid Unfounded Operational Mandates That Undermine Affordability: Freight rail helps keep shipping costs in check, but arbitrary operational mandates such as crew size rules would raise costs without improving safety. The data is clear: rail accident and injury rates remain at historic lows; with Class I mainline accident rates down more than 43 percent since 2005 and hazardous materials accident rates per carload at their lowest level ever. Congress should reject one-size-fits-all mandates and instead support performance-based policies that protect both safety and affordability. 3. Support Innovation in Rail: Railroads continue to invest in safety technologies such as automated track inspection, which can identify potential issues earlier and more accurately than traditional methods. These tools improve reliability across heavily used corridors that are vital to Washington’s economy. Outdated regulations should not stand in the way of proven innovation. Congress should support modernized regulations that allow railroads to deploy new technologies while maintaining strong safety outcomes. Washington’s economy depends on efficient, affordable goods movement. Freight rail delivers for our ports, our exporters, and our communities while helping manage costs, reduce congestion, and strengthen our position in global trade. We thank you for your leadership and urge your continued support for policies that keep freight rail working for Washington. I authorize GoRail to include my name and organization on this group letter, which will be delivered to the California Congressional Delegation in advance of its mark-up of an infrastructure bill. ________________________________________ _______________________________________ Name / Title / Organization ________________________________________ _______________________________________ Signature Date