Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 90 Part 1.djvu/197

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PUBLIC LAW 94-000—MMMM. DD, 1976

PUBLIC LAW 94-210—FEB. 5, 1976

90 STAT. 147

provisions of this section such sums as are necessary, not to exceed $6,000,000. Sums appropriated pursuant to this section are authorized to remain available until expended. TITLE IX—MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF RAIL SYSTEM

SEC. 901. The Secretary shall conduct a comprehensive study of the American railway system. Such study shall commence not later than 45 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Such study shall include— (1) a showing of the potential cost savings and of possible improvements in service quality which could result from restructuring the railroads in the United States; (2) an identification of the potential economies and improvements in performance which could result from the improvement of local and terminal operations; (3) estimates as to potential savings in the cost of rehabilitating the United States raihvay system if rehabilitation is limited to those portions of such system which are essential to interstate , commerce or national defense; (4) an assessment of the extent to which common or public ownership of fixed facilities could improve the national rail transportation system; (5) an assessment of the potential effects of alternative rail corporate structures upon the national rail transportation system; ^6) a listing, in order of descending priority, of the rail properties which should be improved to the extent necessary to permit high-speed rail passenger or freight service over such properties, in terms of the costs and benefits of such improvements and the reasons therefor; and (7) an estimate of the potential benefits of railroad electrification for high density rail lines in the United States, and an evaluation of the costs and benefits of electrifying rail lines in the United States with a high density of traffic, including— (A) the capital costs of such electrification and the oil fuel economies which would be derived therefrom, the ability of existing power facilities to supply the additional power required, and the amount of coal or other fossil fuels required to generate the power necessary for railroad electrification; and (B) the advantages to the environment of electrification of railroads in terms of reduced fuel consumption and air pollution, and the disadvantages to the environment from increased use of fuels such as coal; and (8) a survej^ and analysis of the financial and physical condition of the facilities, rolling stock, and equipment oi the various railroads in the United States. Within 540 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Congress setting forth the results of the study conducted pursuant to this section.

49 USC 1654 note.

Report to Congress,

STUDY OF AID TO RAIL TRANSPORTATION

SEC. 902. (a) STUDY.—Within 30 days after the date of the enact- 49 USC 1654 ment of this Act, the Secretary shall initate a comprehensive study note, and analysis of (1) past and present policies and methods of providing Federal aid for the construction, improvement, operation, and