After suffering a major setback from a court decision that prevents the authority from selling $10 billion in voter-approved bonds, a key federal agency has ruled that the authority must comply with environmental regulations before laying tracks.
"In another key setback to the California bullet train project, federal regulators have rejected the state's request to exempt a large Central Valley segment of proposed track from a lengthy planning review," writes Ralph Vartabedian.
The action affects part of a 29-mile rail section to be built near Fresno, where state officials have already awarded a construction contract. The decision is likely to complicate, delay and substantially drive up the cost on that initial $1-billion package of work.
The rejection from the Surface Transportation Board, the successor agency to the Interstate Commerce Commission, "marks the second time in nine days that the rail agency's planning process has been rejected by authorities". As we noted on Nov. 26 a Sacramento Superior Court's "invalidation of the project's financing plan has put its future in doubt".
Related to that court ruling, Vartabedian writes that "the federal board's vice chairman Ann Begeman issued a statement calling for a comprehensive analysis of the project's "financial fitness." She added, "Today's decision acknowledges the growing controversy regarding California's bond funding process."
The ruling potentially affects the California High Speed Rail Authority's construction contract with Tutor Perini Corp. (and the topic of a prior post). However, "(a)n authority representative said there was no plan to renegotiate the contract... because it has until July 2014 to get the clearance from the board without renegotiating the deal."
The setback not only affects the authority, but also a broader goal: President Obama's "vision for high speed rail", the topic of a Dec. 5 piece by Sam Stein in The Huntington Post.
FULL STORY: California bullet train project handed another setback

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie