California HSR information release

San Jose to Merced Section High-Speed Train Winter 2012 Project Update February, 2012 In light of recent developments on the California High-Speed Rail Program, we would like to provide a status update and information on recent and upcoming project activities at the Statewide level and for the San Jose to Merced section. As with any project of this scale, there are many challenges the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) is addressing simultaneously and there are many questions being asked by the public and decision makers. As you will see below, we are diligently continuing to evaluate alignment alternatives, work with local representatives and the public, provide information and gather feedback as the project moves forward.  It is our goal to keep you informed as activities unfold, and we look forward to your continued involvement. Why California is Pursuing High-Speed Rail With the state’s population expected to grow to 60 million by 2050, California faces three choices regarding its transportation system: try to build more freeways and expand airports to meet the increased demands; do nothing; or develop a high-speed train system connecting our population centers, as many other countries around the world have successfully done. At a total cost of about half of what it would take to provide the same capacity on new freeways and at expanded airports, high-speed rail delivers many other significant economic, social and environmental benefits. UPDATE SNAPSHOT The following provides a brief overview of statewide and project level activities and answers some common questions.  Click on the hyperlinks below to read more about recent activities. A new draft Business Plan introduced phased implementation, updated cost estimates, ridership figures and funding expectations to reflect current economic realities.  The Partially Revised Bay Area to Central Valley Draft Program EIR was released on January 6, 2012 and comments were accepted through February 21, 2012. A public meeting was held on February 9, 2012. The California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group submitted a report to the California Legislature recommending stopping bond funding of the project until a long-term funding source could be established.  The Authority released a response pointing out inaccuracies and shortcomings of the Peer Review Group’s claims. The San Jose to Merced Section has continued studies and public outreach in the San Jose, South Santa Clara County and San Joaquin Valley areas in preparation of releasing a Draft EIR/EIS later this year. The Merced to Fresno Section has announced the “hybrid” route as the preferred alternative and is in the process of completing a Final EIR/EIS for release in mid-2012. RECENT STATEWIDE PROJECT ACTIVITIES Business Plan Update On November 1, 2011 a draft updated Business Plan for the project was released that describes a phased approach to construction that will allow the California High-Speed Rail Authority (Authority) to adapt to changing financial conditions as it moves forward, section by section. The new business plan introduces a “building block” implementation approach to connect the state’s major Northern California and Southern California population centers with high-speed trains, and updates cost estimates, ridership figures and funding expectations to reflect current economic realities. The Authority collected public comments on the Draft Business Plan through January 17, 2012. The Business Plan project team is currently incorporating the comments as appropriate into a final Revised 2012 Business Plan, which will be brought to the Authority Board for adoption before it is submitted to the Legislature.  For more information, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Business_Plan_reports.aspx). Partially Revised Bay Area to Central Valley Draft Program EIR The Authority has circulated the Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train (HST) Partially Revised Draft Program Environmental Impact Report (PRDPEIR) in order to address the November 2011 Town of Atherton legal challenges and court rulings regarding the 2010 Bay Area to Central Valley High-Speed Train Revised Final Program Environmental Impact Report.  A public meeting was held on February 9, 2012, and comments were accepted through February 21, 2012.  For more information, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ba_cv_program_eir.aspx). Peer Review The California High-Speed Rail Peer Review Group submitted a report to the California Legislature recommending that bond funding of the project be postponed until a long-term funding source could be established.  The Authority released a response to the Legislative Peer Review Committee’s report rebutting several of the claims, including several factors relating to the feasibility and financing of High-Speed Rail.  The Authority’s response reiterated that its “Business Model” relies heavily on private sector involvement, anticipating that private operators will provide the rolling stock and operations and maintenance.  The Authority also clarified the phasing and blending approaches in the 2012 Draft Business Plan that reduce impacts, costs and public opposition to the development of high-speed rail.  For more information, visit the website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/pr_01032012.aspx).  To download the Authority’s letter to the California Legislature, click here (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=11536). PROJECT SECTION UPDATES San Jose to Merced The San Jose to Merced section of the system is 125 miles long. Starting at the Diridon Train Station in downtown San Jose, trains would travel south through Gilroy, east through the Pacheco Pass to the vicinity of Chowchilla, to connect with the Central Valley section (Merced to Fresno). To learn more, please visit the San Jose to Merced section of the Authority website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/San_Jose_-_Merced.aspx). Supplemental Alternatives Analyses Supplemental Alternatives Analysis Reports presented on May 5, 2011, included studies on new alignments added in Morgan Hill-Gilroy, Pacheco Pass, and San Joaquin Valley Crossing subsections, SR 152 alternatives and “Wye” alignments (where the east-west tracks meet north-south tracks). San Jose Visual Design Guidelines The Authority and the City of San Jose have continued to work in partnership to develop aesthetic design guidelines for HST aerial and at-grade infrastructure through the City of San Jose.   The Visual Design Guidelines document is available on the City of San José Department of Transportation website (http://www.sanjoseca.gov/transportation/highspeedtrain/highspeedtrain_home.asp) South Santa Clara County Workshops A fourth round of community workshops for the Morgan Hill – Gilroy subsection were recently held to give a project update, discuss station location and design options, and alignment alternatives. The presentation for the meeting is available online (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/assets/0/152/256/266/daeea7ea-5490-4424-9b18-728579f2118b.pdf). Gilroy Visioning Process The Authority has been working in close coordination with the City of Gilroy on their visioning process for a Gilroy High-Speed Train station.  More information can be found on the City of Gilroy’s website (http://www.gilroyhighspeedtrain.org/). San Jose to Merced Section Draft EIR/EIS Comments received on the Supplemental Alternatives Analyses, the San Jose Visual Design Guideline and other project issues will be considered during the preparation of the Draft Environmental Document for this section. Public circulation of the Draft EIR/EIS for the San Jose to Merced section is now anticipated to occur in late 2012. For an overview of the EIR/EIS process, visit the webpage (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/assets/0/152/159/d5b7f1b8-c902-4050-b246-522b707a9b2f.pdf). Merced to Fresno Merced to Fresno Section EIR/EIS and Recommendation of Preferred Route Three routes were fully analyzed in the Draft EIR/EIS, which was released August 15, 2011. On December 13, 2011, after reviewing extensive public comments and feedback from Central Valley residents, agricultural groups and businesses, the Authority identified the “Hybrid Alternative” as the locally preferred alternative (LPA). Work is now underway to respond to comments received in a Final EIR/EIS. Following the publication of the Final EIR/EIS, anticipated in mid-2012, the Authority and FRA will select an alignment and station locations. Once an alignment has been approved for that section, a Record of Decision (ROD) and Notice of Determination (NOD) will be issued allowing the project to move forward to final design and construction. More information is available on the Authority’s website (http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Merced_-_Fresno.aspx). FOR MORE INFORMATION, TO SCHEDULE A BRIEFING OR REQUEST MATERIALS If you or your organization would like to request a briefing or have informational materials provided, please call or email the project outreach team via the contact information provided below. Visit: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/ Call:   800-881-5799 E-mail: san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov Para más información sobre California High-Speed Train Project, por favor Ilame al1-800-881-5799, envíe un correo electrónico a san.jose_merced@hsr.ca.gov o visite la Página Web www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov.

Key take aways from the Aviation Investment Forum 2012 London

We were yesterday (Feb 28th) in London participating as speakers at the Aviation Investment Forum London 2012. We spoke about the opportunities in investing in Aerospace and Aviation infrastructure. Here are the main conclusions we´ve got from this interesting event.

• Aviation is a good business and highly specialized.
• Being a lessor pays off, although you need to really know very well your assets
• Engines do not loose value. They represent 1/3 of the cost of a new Airplane and more than 2/3 of the depreciated value after 10 years.
• Leasing engines better business than leasing planes.
• Airline industry is highly resiliant.
• Airline business is the weakest point of the industry, with high volatility and low returns.
• Aviation infrastructure are not just airports. Manufacturing, Logistics, Air trafic Control and Management, Security, Space, etc...
• There are may opportunities around aviation.
• Airport business has low volatility and low returns.
• Asia Pacific is the place to look at. High growth in planes, infrastructures, everything.
• Latam not a bad place to do business.
• The key word in Infrastructures is Privatization.

Next event will be held in May in Miami. We do recommend that you go. Is a must for the industry!!!

California HSR "Blended" Approach

It seems that the California High Speed Rail Authority is working hard in order to overcome all the challenges they are facing. By leveraging on existing infrastructures, HSR in California can be built faster and cheaper.  Please find the latest Statements from the HSR authority. STATEMENTS ON “BLENDED” APPROACH IN CALTRAIN CORRIDOR SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California High-Speed Rail Board Chairman Dan Richard addresses the issue of blended services in the Caltrain corridor: “We’re very interested in enhancing connections between high-speed rail and local transit and other transportation systems. The Governor has told us he wants a plan that will get high-speed rail trains on the track sooner and in a less costly manner than previous plans called for.  If that can be accomplished by electrifying Caltrain’s lines and using that right-of-way, then it’s certainly something we want to consider,' Richard said. “We will still begin construction in the Central Valley.  Some of our plans already call for blending high speed rail with local and regional transportation systems like Caltrain and Metrolink in Los Angeles.  This will result in building high-speed rail better and faster. It will mean less disruption for communities, not to mention the costs that would be saved by taking this approach," Richard said. Concerns have been raised about the High-Speed Authority’s commitment to a blended system in which Caltrain and high-speed rail would share two tracks on the Peninsula, and the Authority is responding to these concerns. The concerns were reported in a Friday newspaper article focused on a recently released environmental impact report for the Bay Area to the Central Valley. The Revised Draft Program EIR is an important technical document prepared in accordance with CEQA requirements. Authority Board member Jim Hartnett added, “as was presented in the Authority’s Draft Business Plan released Nov. 1, and in subsequent discussion with key policymakers, the Authority is actively exploring a blended approach in the Caltrain corridor." Hartnett is a former chair of the Caltrain Joint Powers Board of Directors (San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties). The Authority has been working with Caltrain in studying how Caltrain and High-Speed Rail trains can operate together within the existing right of way. The agency is in the final stages of publishing a 2012 Revised Business Plan and anticipates considering this plan at its upcoming April 5 board meeting. “I believe the 2012 Revised Business Plan should further highlight the blended approach,” said Hartnett. California’s High-Speed Train Project      The California High-Speed Rail Authority is developing a San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles and Anaheim high-speed rail system that will operate at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour. The full system will connect all of the state’s major urban centers, including Sacramento and San Diego. Initial infrastructure construction will begin in the Central Valley, the backbone of the system, in 2012. The project will generate 100,000 construction job-years of employment over the next five years and nearly one million economy-wide job-years over the life of the project. The project is being funded through voter-approved state bonds, federal funding grants, local funding, and public-private partnerships.

HIGH-SPEED RAIL IDENTIFIES PROSPECTIVE DESIGN-BUILD CONTRACTORS

High Speed Rail in california moving as planned. 

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ) HSR11-16 NOTICE OF OFFEROR SHORTLIST

The California High-Speed Rail Authority has determined that the following firms have submitted qualified Statements of Qualifications as a result of Request for Qualifications HSR11-16, Initial Construction Section, and Construction Package #1. These firms will now be allowed to submit bids on the first segment of the high speed rail project in the Central Valley when the Request for Proposals (RFP) is released.

The companies on the high-speed rail design-build shortlist are listed in alphabetical order as follows:

•   California Backbone Builders (Ferrovial Agroman/Acciona)
•   California High-Speed Rail Partners (Fluor/Skanska/PCL)
•   California High-Speed Ventures (Kiewit/Granite/Comsa EMTE)
•   Dragados/Flatiron/Shimmick a Joint Venture
•   Tutor Perini/Zachery Construction/Parsons 

SDBE program - High Speed Rail - California

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) will hold a listening session/open house to address questions and seek feedback about the Small and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, which seeks to ensure that small businesses throughout California share in the economic opportunity afforded by the construction of high-speed rail.  CHSRA will hold an additional meeting in Southern California to be announced at a later date. A meeting was held in San Francisco on Thursday, December 1, 2011. Following are the details for the Central Valley meeting: DATE & TIME Tuesday, December 13, 2011     Stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and 12 noon

HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY RELEASES PREFERRED ROUTE THROUGH VALLEY

• Press Release

•      

  HIGH-SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY RELEASES PREFERRED ROUTE THROUGH VALLEY 

  Train stations in downtown Merced and downtown Fresno 

    

  SACRAMENTO, Calif. – After reviewing extensive public comments and feedback from Central Valley residents, agricultural groups and businesses, the California High-Speed Rail Authority released a staff report today recommending a preferred route for the Merced to Fresno Section. 

    

  “This is an exciting step, moving us closer to initiating construction,” said Dan Leavitt, Deputy Director of Planning for the California High-Speed Rail Authority. “We have listened to residents, businesses, agricultural and community groups and it is clear the hybrid route has the least impact on communities and is the most cost efficient.” 

    

  The recommendation of the preferred route advances the northernmost Central Valley segment toward construction. Construction of this segment will generate thousands of jobs in one of the state’s highest unemployment regions. 

    

  "We are looking forward to being the birthplace of California’s high-speed train system,” said Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin. “We are ready to put people to work building a system and a station that will connect Fresno to all of the other major cities in California. This project has the potential to transform and improve California’s future." 

    

  “We are thrilled that we’re one step closer to seeing a high-speed train station in downtown Merced,” remarked Dr. Lee Boese, Jr., Co-Chair of the Greater Merced High-Speed Rail Committee. “This project will enhance the lives of residents in Merced and surrounding areas, as well as provide long-term economic growth for our business community. I agree with the Hybrid route recommendation, it will avoid impacts to the small towns of Planada and Le Grand. While we know that the high-speed train will serve as a powerful economic stimulator for our State, we want to continue to work closely with the Authority to design a system that will minimize negative impacts to existing businesses and agriculture. This is truly an exciting step forward.” 

    

  The Authority began studying and evaluating potential routes for the Merced to Fresno Section, a corridor of approximately 65 miles, from 2001 to 2005. Based on this analysis, five alternative north-south alignment routes were identified in 2010. In August of this year, that list was narrowed to three routes, which were included in the Authority’s draft EIR/EIS. Based on continued community feedback and further analysis, the Authority selected the “Hybrid Alternative” route, which combines elements of the other two routes identified in the draft EIR/EIS. 

    

  The Hybrid Alternative generally parallels the Union Pacific Railroad and State Route 99 between Merced and Fresno. To avoid impacts to downtown Madera, this route travels east to be adjacent to the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) corridor. The station locations proposed along this route include downtown Merced between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and G Street and downtown Fresno at Mariposa Street. 

    

  “Not only does this route have the fewest overall impacts but the hybrid route is financially sensible, saving hundreds of millions compared to the other two routes,” said Leavitt. 

    

  It is estimated that the Union Pacific Railroad / State Route 99 would have cost $1 billion more than the Hybrid Alternative and the BNSF route would have cost $500 million more. 

    

  The Board of Directors will receive a presentation from Authority staff on this recommendation at the regularly scheduled December 13, 2011 meeting in Merced and are expected to take action. The Authority has recommended that this route be identified as the preferred alternative in the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS), which is now being prepared and scheduled for release in early 2012. There will be an opportunity for public comment at the board meeting and also following the release of the Final EIR/EIS. 

    

  “The Authority will continue to reach out to property owners, residents and businesses in the project area over the next few months and throughout 2012 to discuss the route, mitigation efforts and ways that we can work together to move the project forward,” said Leavitt. 

    

  The southernmost 24 miles along the Hybrid Alternative, from Ave 17 in Madera County through the City of Fresno to the downtown station, will be the first construction area included in the 130-mile initial construction segment. 

    

  The “Merced to Fresno Staff Recommendation: Preferred Alternative” report is available on the Authority’s website at: http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/Merced_-_Fresno.aspx. 

    

  California’s High-Speed Train Project    

    

  The California High-Speed Rail Authority is developing a San Francisco Bay Area to Los Angeles and Anaheim high-speed rail system that will operate at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour. The full system will connect all of the state’s major urban centers, including Sacramento and San Diego. Initial infrastructure construction will begin in the Central Valley, the backbone of the system, in 2012. The project is being funded through voter-approved state bonds, federal funding grants, local funding, and public-private partnerships.     

CPUC Moves State Closer to Renewable Power Goals

The CPUC approved solar contracts for Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), furthering the state’s progress towards its renewable energy goals.

In November the CPUC approved a PG&E renewable energy contract with Mojave Solar, LLC., an affiliate of Abengoa Solar, Inc., which is developing a 250 megawatt concentrating solar power 
parabolic trough renewable energy generation facility in San Bernardino County.

Also in November the CPUC approved five 25-year power purchase agreements for SDG&E with LanEast Solar Farm, LLC; LanWest Solar Farm, LLC; Desert Green Solar Farm, LLC; Rugged Solar, LLC; and Tierra Del Sol Solar Farm, LLC. The projects will be located in Boulevard and Borrego Springs, Calif. Energy deliveries from the projects are anticipated to begin in 2014. The power purchase agreements are for five solar concentrating photovoltaic facilities that will provide a combined 114 megawatts of new renewable capacity and an estimated 280 gigawatt-hours of energy annually.

California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) is the most ambitious in the country, requiring investor-owned utilities, electric service providers, and community choice aggregators to procure 20 percent of their power from renewable sources by 2010. Senate Bill 2 (First Extraordinary Session), signed into law in April 2011, extends the 20 percent renewable energy goal by 2010 to a 33 percent target by December 31, 2020.

News taken from CPUC public website.