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EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Modification of Remedy at New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site on October 28, 2026
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Modification of Remedy at New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site on October 28, 2026
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BOSTON, MASS (Oct. 19, 2026) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual public meeting on October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams to present the draft eighth Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) proposing to modify the upper and lower harbor remedy for the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site.
Under the ESD, EPA would remove soil in areas where
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 -- The Environmental Protection Agency issued the following news release:
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EPA to Hold Public Meeting on Modification of Remedy at New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site on October 28, 2026
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BOSTON, MASS (Oct. 19, 2026) -- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is hosting a virtual public meeting on October 28, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. via Microsoft Teams to present the draft eighth Explanation of Significant Differences (ESD) proposing to modify the upper and lower harbor remedy for the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site.
Under the ESD, EPA would remove soil in areas wherepolychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) contamination is higher than 1 part per million. The contaminated soil would be excavated to a depth of three feet and replaced with clean soil. The plan would also include land use controls for the property. These controls would allow the City of New Bedford to pursue residential development on the site, but would require a soil management plan to make sure any PCB-contaminated soil located deeper than three feet would be handled safely, if it were to be disturbed in the future.
"The City of New Bedford has been a key partner during EPA's implementation of the Superfund remedy, allowing EPA to perform remedy support work at the City's Sawyer Street property since the 1980s," said EPA Regional Administrator Mark Sanborn. "This proposed work is an important step as we near completion of the New Bedford Harbor Superfund Site cleanup."
EPA is seeking public input on the draft ESD during the 30-day public comment period starting on October 30, 2026, and ending on November 28, 2026. Beginning on October 30, 2026, the draft ESD Administrative Record can be reviewed and comments submitted via https://www.regulations.gov (Docket ID No. EPA-R01-SFUND-2026-6304). All comments are reviewed and responded to in writing by EPA prior to selecting a final alternative for the ESD, if necessary.
Meeting materials and link to join October 28th meeting at 6:00 p.m. will be posted prior to the meeting on https://www.epa.gov/new-bedford-harbor.
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Original text here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-hold-public-meeting-modification-remedy-new-bedford-harbor-superfund-site-october
Commission on International Religious Freedom: Country Brief - Kazakhstan
WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following fact sheet:
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COUNTRY BRIEF: Kazakhstan
October 2026
The Kazakh government continues to consistently violate freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), primarily through its enforcement of a legal framework that regulates and restricts all religious activity in the country. Officials penalize those who practice their beliefs without authorization while from the state, particularly targeting independent Muslims also turning their attention to religious minorities, including Protestant Christians and
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 24 -- U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom issued the following fact sheet:
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COUNTRY BRIEF: Kazakhstan
October 2026
The Kazakh government continues to consistently violate freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), primarily through its enforcement of a legal framework that regulates and restricts all religious activity in the country. Officials penalize those who practice their beliefs without authorization while from the state, particularly targeting independent Muslims also turning their attention to religious minorities, including Protestant Christians andChristian converts. Malign foreign governments have also increasingly influenced the Kazakh government to lodge criminal cases against individuals for their religious activities or FoRB advocacy.
This publication outlines recent FoRB developments in Kazakhstan, particularly highlighting recent developments in criminal and administrative cases that illustrate the government's systematic and ongoing religious freedom violations. In its 2026 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State place Kazakhstan on its Special Watch List.
Background
Over 69 percent of Kazakhs adhere to Islam, with most members of that community identifying as Hanafi Sunni Muslims. Other Muslim groups in Kazakhstan include Shi'a and Ahmadiyya Muslims. Seventeen percent of the population identify as Christian, most of whom are Russian Orthodox but also include Catholics, Protestants, and Jehovah's Witnesses. Other religious groups in Kazakhstan include Jews, Baha'is, members of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness, Buddhists, and Scientologists. A small percentage of individuals identify as atheist or prefer not to share their religious affiliation.
Legal Restrictions on FoRB
Although Article 22 of the constitution guarantees the right to freedom of conscience, the government does not uphold this article in practice, particularly as a result of its laws strictly regulating religion. For example, the 2011 Law on Religious Activities and Religious Associations, commonly referred to as the religion law, bans all unregistered religious activities. Among other provisions, it additionally requires official examination of all religious materials and places restrictions on religious education, proselytization, and religious events. Kazakhstan's 2005 Law on Countering Extremism vaguely defines the term "extremism," which readily provides a pretext for authorities to penalize religious activities that it deems as such, even if they do not incite or condone violence. Kazakh officials therefore have a broad legal basis, through these administrative and criminal frameworks, to target at will any individuals or groups for their religious activities.
Fining and Prosecution of Independent Islamic Activities and Expression
Kazakhstan's vague legal framework regulating religion permits authorities to arbitrarily target the activities of independent Muslims who deviate from the state's preferred interpretation of Sunni Islam. For example, Kazakh officials have continued to actively enforce a June 2025 ban on face coverings in public under the law On Prevention of Crimes, with no exception for religious garb. Its passage followed a campaign of rhetoric from the government and quasi-independent Spiritual Administration of Muslims in Kazakhstan dismissing religious face coverings, implicitly referring to the fullface niqab that some Muslim women choose to wear as a "foreign trend." In May 2026, the government announced that police have issued administrative penalties against nearly 1,200 people for wearing clothes that "impede facial recognition in public" per the ban. Religious face coverings likely represented a significant majority of those cases, although the announcement did not provide corroborating details.
Amendments to the Administrative Code grant authorities the option to issue a warning instead of a fine for first-time violators of the religion law under Article 490 and to then impose the fine following a second violation within a year. In April 2026, after Islamic preacher Daryn Mubarov handed out religious materials in Astana without authorization twice within one year, officials fined him 865,000 Kazakh tenge ($1,815 USD)-- equivalent to almost twice the average monthly income in Kazakhstan. Also, the Almaty Department of Religious Affairs fined blogger Nurzhan Smagulov under the same article for comparing people to cows in a religious context. In addition to targeting Muslims, officials also continue to issue Jehovah's Witnesses administrative penalties for their religious expression, such as publicly discussing their religious beliefs.
Kazakh authorities also repress religious activities and expression by regularly enforcing Article 174 of the Penal Code, which effectively serves as the country's blasphemy law by penalizing what it vaguely refers to as "incitement of religious hatred." For example, in March, Ministry of Internal Affairs officials arrested a blogger and opened a criminal investigation under this article for his online religious expression. He had reportedly claimed that Nowruz, both a religious and secular holiday celebrated across Central Asia, is neither Kazakh nor Muslim and therefore forbidden for Muslims to observe.
Targeting of Unregistered Christian Groups
Some Christian communities operate without registration in Kazakhstan because officials refuse their applications or the registration requirement violates their beliefs resulting in police raids of religious services of such communities. For example, in Semey, police raided Sunday services in May 2026. Officials claimed the congregants were violating the law by gathering without authorization and filed charges against 15 church members and the pastor.
Targeted Groups
Kazakhstan shares significant borders with Russia and China, both of which have successfully encouraged or pressured Kazakh officials to act against religious groups, dissidents, or advocates--and those officials have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to comply. In terms of Russian influence, the Kazakh government leaves no space for Orthodox Christians to practice their faith outside of the Russian Orthodox Church, which the religion law's preamble recognizes for its "historical role"--cementing the institution as a state-favored religion. Regarding China's influence, a court in Taldykorgan convicted 19 individuals from the Atajurt Human Rights Organization in April on charges of inciting discord, having detained them last year in relation to their religious freedom advocacy on behalf of Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims facing genocide and ongoing atrocities in China. The court sentenced 11 of them to five years in prison and eight others to terms of restricted freedom. The court further banned all 19 defendants from engaging in public or political activities for three years, and the Almaty Regional Court upheld the original verdict upon appeal. Criminal proceedings came following a diplomatic note from the Chinese consulate in Almaty.
In another concerning development, Kazakh authorities have shifted their attention to the convicted protestors' families in an effort to stifle their potential for drawing international attention to this case. For example, police detained the wives of two of the Atajurt protestors in May to prevent them from speaking about their husbands' cases to U.S. Embassy personnel in Astana. In July, Kazakh authorities detained and opened a criminal investigation against Batikha Bilaishi, the sister of Serikzhan Bilash who founded Atajurt but has since fled to the United States for his safety. Bilaishi reportedly has had no involvement in the work of Atajurt, contributing to the likelihood that her detention represents an effort on the part of the Kazakh government to silence her brother's FoRB and human rights advocacy from abroad.
FoRB Victims
Authorities continue to detain and imprison individuals for exercising their freedom of religion or belief, including religious leaders, members of religious communities, and advocates for religious freedom. In many cases, individuals face arrest, prolonged detention, imprisonment, or other forms of state persecution for peacefully practicing their religion, expressing their beliefs, or advocating for the rights of others. USCIRF's Frank R. Wolf Freedom of Religion or Belief Victims List documents many of those individuals. Among others in Kazakhstan, Anatoli Zernichenko is serving a seven-year sentence for allegedly promoting terrorism under Penal Code Article 256.2 for his peaceful, online religious activities.
International Accountability
In March, the United Nations special rapporteurs on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, and FoRB wrote a joint communication to the Kazakh government about Yakov Vorontsov's case. They expressed concern about his arrest, the violation of his right to FoRB, and the denial of his religious community's registration attempts. In an official response in June, Kazakh officials maintained that the government respects FoRB and denied any connection between the criminal proceedings against Vorontsov and his religious activities or advocacy for Ukraine.
Conclusion
The Kazakh government continues to engage in severe FoRB violations to control the religious space, penalizing independent religious expression, online activities, and religious freedom advocacy. The broad laws that regulate and restrict the country's religious affairs provide officials with a readily accessible pretext to arbitrarily penalize religious activities and advocacy for virtually any reason--including at the behest of autocratic neighbors such as Russia and China. Thus, Kazakhs who seek to independently practice their religion or belief, particularly members of the country's significant Sunni Muslim majority, often face substantial legal challenges resulting in fines, detentions, and prison sentences.
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Original text here: https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2026-10/2026%20Kazakhstan%20Country%20Brief.pdf
SBA Relief Still Available to Mescalero Apache Tribe Businesses, Nonprofits, Affected by Adverse Weather
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to Mescalero Apache Tribe Businesses, Nonprofits, Affected by Adverse Weather
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Mescalero Apache Tribe small businesses and private nonprofit organizations of the Nov. 23 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by severe storms, flooding, and landslides occurring June 23 - Aug. 5, 2025.
The disaster declaration includes
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Small Business Administration Office of Disaster Assistance issued the following news release:
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SBA Relief Still Available to Mescalero Apache Tribe Businesses, Nonprofits, Affected by Adverse Weather
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WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Small Business Administration is reminding eligible Mescalero Apache Tribe small businesses and private nonprofit organizations of the Nov. 23 deadline to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans to offset economic losses caused by severe storms, flooding, and landslides occurring June 23 - Aug. 5, 2025.
The disaster declaration includesthe Mescalero Apache Tribe.
The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to eligible small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private nonprofit organizations -- including faith-based organizations -- impacted by financial losses directly related to this disaster. The SBA is unable to provide disaster loans to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for aquaculture enterprises.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans are for working capital needs caused by the disaster and are available even if the small business did not suffer any physical damage. The loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills which could not be paid due to the disaster.
"SBA loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses after a disaster, which is crucial for their recovery," said Chris Stallings, Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery at SBA. "These loans not only help business owners get back on their feet but also play a key role in sustaining local economies in the aftermath of a disaster."
The loan amount can be up to $2 million with interest rates as low as 4% for businesses and 3.625% for private nonprofits, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and payments are not due until 12 months from the date of the first loan disbursement. The SBA determines eligibility and sets loan amounts and terms based on each applicant's financial condition.
To apply online, visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA's National Support Network Center at (866) SBA-HELP or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.
Submit completed loan applications to the SBA no later than Nov. 23. However, after the deadline has passed, there is a 60-day grace period in which SBA will accept applications.
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Original text here: https://www.sba.gov/article/2026/10/23/sba-relief-still-available-mescalero-apache-tribe-businesses-nonprofits-affected-adverse-weather
Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Announces Leadership Changes
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Announces Leadership Changes
October 22, 2026
The Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLBank") of New York announced today that Randolph C. Snook resigned as its President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), effective October 20, 2026. The Board of Directors of the FHLBank of New York has initiated a process to identify a permanent replacement for Mr. Snook, who will serve as a senior advisor to the FHLBank of New York through December 31, 2026 to assist in
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Federal Home Loan Banks Office of Finance issued the following news release:
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Federal Home Loan Bank of New York Announces Leadership Changes
October 22, 2026
The Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLBank") of New York announced today that Randolph C. Snook resigned as its President and Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), effective October 20, 2026. The Board of Directors of the FHLBank of New York has initiated a process to identify a permanent replacement for Mr. Snook, who will serve as a senior advisor to the FHLBank of New York through December 31, 2026 to assist inthe leadership transition.
The Board of Directors of the FHLBank of New York has named Jonathan West as Interim President and CEO, effective October 20, 2026, to ensure continuity during this process. Mr. West, age 69, joined the FHLBank of New York in May 2015 as Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer and served as Chief of Staff/Senior Advisor since February 2026.
Previously, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer - Business Operations of the FHLBank of Indianapolis. He brings more than 40 years of experience within the FHLBank System to his new role.
For additional information, please see the FHLBank of New York's Form 8-K filing on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website, www.sec.gov.
Created by Congress in 1932, the FHLBanks have served as a vital source of liquidity to their members throughout the economic cycles, supporting housing finance and community development across the United States. Please contact Tom Heinle at (703) 467-3646 or theinle@fhlb-of.com for additional information.
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Original text here: https://www.fhlb-of.com/news/federal-home-loan-bank-of-new-york-announces-leadership-changes/
Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours CesiumAstro's Texas Facility to See EXIM-Supported Jobs at Work
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours CesiumAstro's Texas Facility to See EXIM-Supported Jobs at Work
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AUSTIN, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited CesiumAstro's Austin facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving with the right tools and support, U.S. innovation
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- The Export-Import Bank of the U.S. issued the following news release:
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Factory Floor Fridays: Chairman Jovanovic Tours CesiumAstro's Texas Facility to See EXIM-Supported Jobs at Work
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AUSTIN, TX. -- Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) Chairman John Jovanovic visited CesiumAstro's Austin facility as part of its Factory Floor Fridays initiative. Factory Floor Fridays tell the story of the American Dream through the eyes of the companies and workers building the next generation of American industry, proving with the right tools and support, U.S. innovationcan compete and win anywhere in the world.
This September, EXIM signed a $280 million credit agreement under the Bank's Make More in America (MMIA) initiative and toured the company's major manufacturing expansion alongside CEO Shey Sabripour. This represents the Bank's largest loan approval in the MMIA program to date. A U.S.-based manufacturer, CesiumAstro builds advanced satellite communications systems that help spacecraft, aircraft, and ground networks stay connected. In January 2026, EXIM approved a $185 million direct loan to CesiumAstro to support the purchase of a new manufacturing facility in Austin, Texas, as well as critical infrastructure upgrades and the procurement of advanced equipment. The investment has enabled CesiumAstro to expand its production footprint, deliver high-reliability systems at scale, and create 500+ well-paying jobs for American workers.
"CesiumAstro proves that when American innovators have access to the right financing, they can build the technologies that will define the future," said Chairman John Jovanovic. "Through Make More in America, EXIM is helping strengthen our industrial base, support well-paying jobs, and ensure the next generation of critical space systems are built here in the United States."
"We are honored to have the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) support us -- now through two financing packages -- as we continue to grow CesiumAstro and expand advanced manufacturing in the United States," said Shey Sabripour, Founder and CEO of CesiumAstro. "That level of commitment from EXIM is meaningful. It reinforces the importance of investing in advanced manufacturing and strengthening America's industrial base, and I want to express my sincere gratitude to Chairman Jovanovic for his leadership and commitment to that effort."
"American manufacturers are the backbone of our economic security," Jovanovic added. "Factory Floor Fridays give everyday Americans the opportunity to hear from businesses large and small--which account for nearly 90 percent of our transactions--and ensure they have the financing tools they need to compete, grow, and win in global markets."
EXIM's MMIA program is designed to help American companies access the Bank's existing medium-and long-term loans, loan guarantees, and insurance to export-oriented domestic manufacturing projects.
When EXIM was founded 92 years ago, its mission was simple: support America's economic recovery from the Great Depression by creating well-paying jobs and rebuilding the nation's manufacturing base. Under President Trump's leadership, EXIM is once again a frontline economic tool to revitalize America's economy and define a future led by U.S. innovation.
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Original text here: https://www.exim.gov/news/factory-floor-fridays-chairman-jovanovic-tours-cesiumastros-texas-facility-see-exim-supported
As Everglades Restoration Projects Advance, Defining Success and Assessing Outcomes Require New Approaches, Says National Academies Review
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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As Everglades Restoration Projects Advance, Defining Success and Assessing Outcomes Require New Approaches, Says National Academies Review
October 22, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The pace of Everglades restoration has accelerated significantly in recent years, but the effort requires stronger scientific assessments, a clearer picture of success amid changing conditions, and greater investment in decision support tools, says a new report from the National Academies of
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 (TNSrep) -- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine issued the following news release:
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As Everglades Restoration Projects Advance, Defining Success and Assessing Outcomes Require New Approaches, Says National Academies Review
October 22, 2026
WASHINGTON -- The pace of Everglades restoration has accelerated significantly in recent years, but the effort requires stronger scientific assessments, a clearer picture of success amid changing conditions, and greater investment in decision support tools, says a new report from the National Academies ofSciences, Engineering, and Medicine. It examines Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) progress and recommends improvements to scientific monitoring, modeling, data analysis, and management approaches to better evaluate restoration outcomes and inform future decisions. The report is the 11th in a series of biennial reviews by the National Academies.
"As more Everglades restoration projects come online, we need to reassess what success looks like and strengthen the science used to measure it," said Helen Regan, professor in the department of evolution, ecology, and organismal biology at the University of California, Riverside, and chair of the committee that wrote the report. "Better scientific tools and assessments will help ensure that today's restoration investments benefit generations to come."
Restoration Progress
Record funding and improved coordination among federal and state agencies have greatly accelerated the pace of CERP implementation, but that momentum remains contingent on adequate staffing levels and sustained funding. While measurable hydrologic and ecological responses demonstrate restoration progress, more rigorous analysis and reporting of outcomes across restoration projects are also critical to understanding how the ecosystem is responding.
Restoring water flows is a central part of CERP implementation. However, some projects will require additional measures beyond water management to achieve intended ecological benefits. Although some interventions may fall outside the scope of CERP, the report recommends that agencies study supplemental measures and calls for emergency conservation actions for the endangered Cape Sable seaside sparrow, including relocation to suitable habitat and accelerated captive breeding.
Defining Restoration Success
Defining restoration success is essential to sustain public support for the CERP and inform future decisions, the report notes. The restoration program recognizes that land-use changes and requirements for flood control make historical ecosystem conditions an unattainable restoration goal. However, additional efforts are needed to define desired restoration conditions in a way that incorporates constraints and changing conditions.
At the scale of the CERP, restoration outcomes will necessarily involve trade-offs across space, time, and restoration objectives. The report calls for better tools to help decision-makers evaluate competing priorities, clearer communication of restoration progress and trade-offs, and sustained investment in scientific expertise and infrastructure.
Assessing Progress
Although progress is being made, current assessment methods do not consistently distinguish between changes resulting from CERP activities and those associated with external influences such as weather variability. The report recommends improved analytical approaches to assess whether interim restoration goals are being met and identify where additional management actions may be needed.
The study was undertaken by the Committee on Independent Scientific Review of Everglades Restoration Progress and sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Interior, South Florida Water Management District, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are private, nonprofit institutions that provide independent, objective analysis and advice to the nation to solve complex problems and inform public policy decisions related to science, engineering, and medicine. They operate under an 1863 congressional charter to the National Academy of Sciences, signed by President Lincoln.
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View report here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/projects/DELS-WSTB-24-01/publication/29422
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Original text here: https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/as-everglades-restoration-projects-advance-defining-success-and-assessing-outcomes-require-new-approaches-says-national-academies-review
Amtrak Opens New State-of-the-Art Train Maintenance Facility in Seattle
WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Opens New State-of-the-Art Train Maintenance Facility in Seattle
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SEATTLE - Amtrak and partners cut the ribbon on a new $250 million Maintenance and Inspection Facility in Seattle, designed to support the new Airo fleet that debuted on the Amtrak Cascades route last month. Delivered on time and $50 million under budget, the facility will open in phases through the end of 2026.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot building is the first maintenance facility of its kind for Amtrak, featuring three
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WASHINGTON, Oct. 23 -- Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corp.) issued the following news:
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Amtrak Opens New State-of-the-Art Train Maintenance Facility in Seattle
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SEATTLE - Amtrak and partners cut the ribbon on a new $250 million Maintenance and Inspection Facility in Seattle, designed to support the new Airo fleet that debuted on the Amtrak Cascades route last month. Delivered on time and $50 million under budget, the facility will open in phases through the end of 2026.
The nearly 100,000-square-foot building is the first maintenance facility of its kind for Amtrak, featuring threetracks for inspecting, servicing and performing heavy maintenance on a full trainset all under one roof.
Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason:
"This new facility represents a major step forward for Amtrak and our customers in the Pacific Northwest. By providing our teams the modern tools and space to maintain an entire Airo trainset at once, we can work more efficiently while continuing our commitment to safe, reliable and comfortable service for the next generation of Amtrak Cascades customers."
ODOT Intercity Passenger Rail Program Manager Kathy Holmes:
"This modern facility sends a strong message to the public and the nation that we are investing in excellence at every level: in the equipment, our people and the experience we deliver to every passenger. Oregon set an all-time September ridership record and this investment ensures Amtrak Cascades continues to deliver safe and reliable service to our customers across the Pacific Northwest."
WSDOT Senior Director of External Relations Allison Krutsinger
"It's exciting to be celebrating this opening today, since it comes on the heels of our recent introduction of the new Amtrak Cascades trains just a few short weeks ago. Together, this facility and our eight new trains and two new locomotives represent a half-billion-dollar investment in passenger rail service for the Pacific Northwest. It's a new era for train travel in the Pacific Northwest."
Rail Passengers Association President & CEO Jim Mathews:
"Beautiful new Airo trains are coming to America's rail network, built by American workers and supported by suppliers all across the country. Amtrak's Seattle maintenance facility is the first of six new major facilities to support these state-of-the-art trains and mark a new era of passenger rail for the nation."
Why it matters: At approximately 700 feet long, the building can accommodate an entire Amtrak Cascades Airo trainset, enabling more modern and efficient maintenance. Amtrak's legacy fleet of individual railcars must be moved in and out separately for maintenance at the existing facility onsite, a time-consuming and burdensome process that does not enable as efficient maintenance as this new facility.
Digging deeper: Inside the maintenance facility, specialized equipment includes a drop table and split rail system, overhead bridge crane, monorail crane, sanding system and diesel in addition to wayside water and air hose reels, sanitary and vacuum waste hoses, head-end power cabinets, and a fall protection lifeline system. The broader project also includes a new parking deck for employees and covered storage for maintenance materials.
Building for the future: Seattle is part of Amtrak's broader investment in new and upgraded maintenance facilities across the country to support today's fleet and the next generation of trains. These modern facilities allow full trainsets to be inspected and serviced together, helping reduce downtime, improve efficiency and keep trains ready for customers.
By the numbers: More than 40 subcontractors supported construction of the facility, many based in the Pacific Northwest, helping to create approximately 120 construction jobs.
Major project highlights include:
* Two-level, 39,000-square-foot parking deck for employees and material storage
* 4,000 linear feet of rail
* 16,000 cubic yards of concrete
* 2.4 million pounds of concrete reinforcement
* 12 million pounds of structural steel
* 439 driven piles (11 miles in length)
* 132 drilled piles (three miles in length)
The new facility continues Amtrak's long-term investment in the Seattle Rail Yard, following previous completion of other, smaller maintenance facility improvements, new administrative building space, and a car wash in 2013, 2019, and 2025.
Additional Reactions:
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell:
"The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is delivering a new era of passenger rail in the Pacific Northwest. Last month, we welcomed state-of-the-art Airo trains, nearly doubling seats on the Amtrak Cascades service. Now, Amtrak is opening a modern maintenance facility in Seattle--on time and $50 million under budget--to keep those trains running for decades to come. That means faster maintenance and more reliable service for communities across the region."
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray:
"It is exciting to see the growing momentum in the Seattle Rail Yard--Amtrak's new Airo fleet is a massive upgrade and so are the facilities that make train travel possible. I'm always going to fight to invest in jobs and connecting communities--that's why I was proud to secure this funding for Amtrak in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I'll keep pushing for more investments in rail in Washington state and across the country."
U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal:
"As our region expands its fleet, this new maintenance and inspection facility is crucial to ensuring the safety and reliability of our trains. I'm thrilled to see this project completed to keep our communities connected -- and I will continue working to bring home federal funding to make our region more accessible to residents and visitors."
U.S. Rep. Susan DelBene:
"Investing in rail infrastructure is critical in keeping our region moving. This facility will support Amtrak's new Airo trains, ensuring Washingtonians have access to a fast, reliable transit network while providing good paying jobs and improving efficiency. This project was completed safe, on time, and under budget and demonstrates the power of federal investments in our infrastructure that deliver real results for our communities."
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Original text here: https://media.amtrak.com/2026/10/amtrak-opens-new-state-of-the-art-train-maintenance-facility-in-seattle/
