Published: May 29, 2009 09:40 pm      

Our View: Economy stimulus on track

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin toured the National Railway Equipment Company headquarters here in the King City on Friday, learning about the company’s N-ViroMotive Gen Set locomotive, which is the newest in green technology, with low emissions and fuel efficiency.

During the visit, Durbin said President Barack Obama is behind the move to expand passenger rail service in the United States and Illinois, but passenger locomotives have been brought in from other countries in the past. Durbin said he believes there is no reason to import locomotives when they can be built — and with the most cost-effective and clean technology — in NREC facilities such as the headquarters in Mt. Vernon.

“There are too many foreign suppliers,” Durbin said. “I’d rather have Americans working. Not only is [National Railway] a production facility, but it’s the right kind of product to lead us in the 21st Century with a fuel efficient engine that also creates less pollution.”

We agree. National Railway is ahead of the competition in creating an environmentally friendly product that has changed the locomotive industry. And we are proud that it is located right here, employing local residents.

Like Durbin, we believe that if taxpayer money is going to be expended through stimulus funds to expand the rail system, the dollars should not be sent outside the U.S. to purchase engines.

Let us build them right here, where the dollars do what they are supposed to be doing — stimulating our economy.