(The Associated Press circulated the following on June 27.)
PHOENIX — Gov. Janet Napolitano has signed into law a bill to require new state reviews of railroad projects in Arizona.
The bill signed Friday by Napolitano covers a new switching yard planned by Union Pacific for a site near Picacho Peak in southern Arizona.
While requiring that railroads make certain disclosures and that the state to hold a hearing, the bill does not make projects subject to state approval.
Supporters contend that requirements for disclosures of planned rail projects and for holding a hearing on each project would allow communities to understand what could affect their areas.
Opponents say the bill would impose unnecessary regulation on an industry whose expansion would help the state’s economy.
Also, the two major freight railroads serving Arizona — Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe — have said the legislation puts the state on track to regulate an area reserved for the federal government.
Napolitano vetoed a 2007 bill but she said in explaining her signing the 2008 version that it included changes to address concerns she noted, including the federal government’s role in regulating railroads.
Now, with “little genuine interest” by railroads to work out possible alternatives to the legislation, time has run out,” Napolitano said. “Arizona will proceed to provide its affected citizens with the information necessary to understand the effects of a new railroad route in their communities.”