This week, officials revealed a nearly $16 million federal grant to spur the development of battery technology at Alstom’s Steuben County facility, marking a major milestone in the advancement of battery-powered hybrid locomotives in the southern area of ​​New York State.

The $15,982,500 investment, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, supports a collaboration between the Steuben County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), Alstom, Norfolk Southern Railway and New Energy New York from Binghamton University (NENY). The initiative will focus on the production and testing of cutting-edge battery-powered hybrid trains, with the aim of making the region a leader in energy-efficient rail technology.

“This federal funding puts the Southern Tier on the map for advanced rail development,” Schumer said. “The project will not only improve rail safety, but also boost the region’s climate resilience efforts. I’ve worked hard to make this region a hub for battery manufacturing and development, and now the next generation of rail technology will be “Made in Upstate NY.”

Developing the Future of Clean Rail Technology

The federal investment will enable the production and testing of two hybrid locomotives at Alstom’s Kanona factory in Bath. The trains will run primarily on battery power, with diesel engines as backup. This dual-power system aims to improve rail efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and improve overall safety. Alstom’s partnership with Binghamton University and other regional entities leverages the region’s expertise in transportation and clean energy technologies.

“New York’s Southern Tier is becoming a national center of excellence in rail manufacturing,” said Michael Keroullé, president of Alstom Americas. “With the support of Senator Schumer and our partners, we will develop and test advanced battery and rail technologies, continuing our efforts to decarbonize the freight sector. »

The hybrid locomotives will be built from recycled steel chassis, significantly reducing the carbon footprint of production. The project will convert two GP 38/40 locomotives into battery-diesel hybrids, designed to maximize engine efficiency and traction capacity by approximately 50%. The initiative also plans future technology upgrades to completely eliminate the use of diesel as zero-emission solutions become available.

Regional partnership aims to lead clean tech innovation

The Steuben County IDA works closely with Alstom and Norfolk Southern Railway, as well as researchers from Binghamton University’s NENY consortium. The partnership aims to integrate battery technology advancements to transform rail operations, aligning with the region’s long history of manufacturing and transportation innovation.

“The CRISI award will help position Steuben County as a leader in clean technology manufacturing,” said James C. Johnson, executive director of the Steuben County IDA. “Thanks to Senator Schumer’s support, we are advancing new hybrid locomotive technology that builds on our region’s strengths.

Schumer’s desire to invest and innovate

The funding comes from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act championed by Schumer. The law provides $5 billion over five years for the CRISI program, investing in projects nationwide to improve rail safety, reduce traffic congestion, and support efficient freight and passenger transportation. Schumer’s advocacy was instrumental in securing federal funds for the Southern Tier, focusing on the development of battery technology through various programs.

Schumer highlighted recent successes in his efforts to position Binghamton University and the Southern Tier as a national hub for battery innovation. Binghamton University recently won the National Science Foundation’s Regional Innovation Engines competition, securing up to $160 million over the life of the program to advance battery research and manufacturing in the region. The project was one of ten projects selected nationally, highlighting the region’s emerging role in battery technology.

“Our engineers are ready to collaborate with Alstom on this transformative project,” said Atul Kelkar, dean of the Watson College of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Binghamton University. “The electrification of transportation is essential for the United States, and we are excited to contribute to this important change.”

Building momentum for battery technology in the south

Schumer’s efforts to make the Southern Tier a tech hub have included securing various awards and investments, such as a $63.7 million federal grant through the Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) and additional funding of the state. These initiatives aim to make the region a leader in battery research and manufacturing, fostering economic growth and technological innovation.

The senator also highlighted his continued support for projects such as Alstom’s battery-powered locomotives, seeing them as essential to local economic development and national transportation progress.

As Schumer continues to advocate for federal investment and technology growth, the Southern Tier is set to play a central role in the next era of clean, efficient rail technology.

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