Tacoma Rail is poised to enter into an agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation for a $450,000 interest free loan to help fund the replacement of a diesel locomotive with a more eco-friendly engine.

Tacoma City Council is scheduled to vote later today on a resolution authorizing the agreement.

According to documents supporting the resolution, the loan will be used to partially finance the replacement of an existing unregulated diesel emissions performance locomotive with a US Environmental Protection Agency Tier 2 certified emissions standard or better locomotive.

The move is part of the larger Locomotive Repower or Replacement Project, which aims to replace diesel engines in three Tacoma Rail locomotives that operate within the Wapato Hills/Puyallup River Valley area. Tacoma Rail officials estimate that by replacing these engines with new and advanced technologies, Tacoma Rail can reduce fine particulate matter and other diesel emissions from these locomotives by up to 75 percent, or two tons per year. The project would also help ensure ongoing efficient freight rail switching service to Tacoma Rail customers, reduce annual locomotive maintenance costs, and reduce greenhouse gas and diesel particulate emissions in Pierce County.

The interest free loan would be repaid over a 10-year period, with annual payments in the amount of $45,000 beginning on May 1, 2013.

Tacoma City Council is scheduled to vote on the resolution during its meeting today at 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers on the first floor of the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street. For a copy of the agenda and meeting materials, click here — http://cms.cityoftacoma.org/cityclerk/Files/CityCouncil/Agendas/2011-FullAgendas/Full20111025.pdf .