HR 6003 PCS 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on Com-
merce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate a plan 
for restoring passenger rail service between New Orleans, 
Louisiana, and Sanford, Florida. The plan shall include 
a projected timeline for restoring such service, the costs 
associated with restoring such service, and any proposals 
for legislation necessary to support such restoration of 
service. In developing the plan, Amtrak shall consult with 
representatives from the States of Louisiana, Alabama, 
Mississippi, and Florida, railroad carriers whose tracks 
may be used for such service, rail passengers, rail labor, 
and other entities as appropriate. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation to enable Amtrak to conduct the study 
under this subsection $1,000,000. 
SEC. 219. LOCOMOTIVE BIOFUEL STUDY. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator of the Federal 
Railroad Administration, in consultation with the Sec-
retary of Energy and the Administrator of the Environ-
mental Protection Agency, shall conduct a study to deter-
mine the extent to which freight and passenger rail opera-
tors could use biofuel blends to power its locomotive fleet 
and other vehicles that operate on rail tracks. 
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HR 6003 PCS 
(b) DEFINITION.—For purposes of this section, the 
term ‘‘biofuel’’ means a fuel that utilizes renewable re-
sources and is composed substantially of a renewable re-
source blended with ethanol, methanol, or other additive. 
(c) FACTORS.—In conducting the study, the Federal 
Railroad Administration shall consider— 
(1) the energy intensity of various biofuel 
blends compared to diesel fuel; 
(2) the emission benefits of using various 
biofuel blends compared to locomotive diesel fuel; 
(3) the cost of purchasing biofuel blends; 
(4) the public benefits derived from the use of 
such fuels; and 
(5) the effect of biofuel use on relevant loco-
motive and other vehicle performance. 
(d) LOCOMOTIVE TESTING.—As part of the study, 
the Federal Railroad Administration shall test locomotive 
engine performance and emissions using blends of biofuel 
and diesel fuel in order to recommend a premium loco-
motive biofuel blend. 
(e) REPORT.—Not later than 1 year after the date 
of enactment of this Act, the Federal Railroad Adminis-
tration shall issue the results of this study to the Com-
mittee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House 
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HR 6003 PCS 
of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, 
Science, and Transportation of the Senate. 
(f) AUTHORIZATION
OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There 
are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of 
Transportation $1,000,000 to carry out this section, to 
remain available until expended. 
SEC. 220. STUDY OF THE USE OF BIOBASED LUBRICANTS. 
Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Federal Railroad Administration shall 
transmit to the Committee on Transportation and Infra-
structure of the House of Representatives and the Com-
mittee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
Senate a report containing the results of a study of the 
feasibility of using readily biodegradable lubricants by 
freight and passenger railroads. The Federal Railroad Ad-
ministration shall work with an agricultural-based lubri-
cant testing facility or facilities to complete this study. 
The study shall include— 
(1) an analysis of the potential use of soy-based 
grease and soy-based hydraulic fluids to perform ac-
cording to railroad industry standards; 
(2) an analysis of the potential use of other 
readily biodegradable lubricants to perform accord-
ing to railroad industry standards; 
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(3) a comparison of the health and safety of pe-
troleum-based lubricants with biobased lubricants, 
which shall include an analysis of fire safety; and 
(4) a comparison of the environmental impact 
of petroleum-based lubricants with biobased lubri-
cants, which shall include rate and effects of 
biodegradability. 
SEC. 221. APPLICABILITY OF BUY AMERICAN ACT. 
Section 24305(f) is amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(f) APPLICABILITY OF BUY AMERICAN ACT.—Am-
trak shall be subject to the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 
10a–d) and the regulations thereunder, for purchases of 
$100,000 or more.’’. 
SEC. 222. INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL SERVICE PERFORM-
ANCE. 
(a) DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATION METRICS.—Not 
later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
Act, the Inspector General of the Department of Trans-
portation shall, using the financial and performance 
metrics developed under section 207, develop metrics for 
the evaluation of the performance and service quality of 
intercity passenger rail services including cost recovery, 
on-time performance and minutes of delay, ridership, on-
board services, maintenance of facilities and equipment, 
and other services. 
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(b) 
IDENTIFICATION
OF
WORST
PERFORMING 
ROUTES.—On the basis of these metrics, the Inspector 
General shall identify the five worst performing Amtrak 
routes. 
(c) ALTERNATIVE ROUTES.—The Inspector General 
shall also establish criteria for evaluating routes not cur-
rently served by Amtrak which might be able to support 
passenger rail service at a reasonable cost. 
(d) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—The Inspector General 
shall submit a report to the Committee on Transportation 
and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and 
the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation 
of the Senate recommending a process for the Department 
of Transportation to consider proposals by Amtrak and 
others to serve underperforming routes, and routes not 
currently served by Amtrak. The proposals shall require 
that applicants follow grant requirements of section 504. 
The Inspector General shall recommend one route not cur-
rently served by Amtrak and two routes (from among the 
five worst routes identified under subsection (b)) currently 
served by Amtrak, for the Department of Transportation 
to consider under the selection process. 
(e) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary shall not im-
plement the selection process recommended by the Inspec-
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