January 2021
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January 2021 • The latest from Montana & Wyoming 
BNSF Railway Submits Plan to Help Protect Grizzly Bears in Montana BNSF has formally submitted a Habitat Conservation Plan to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, which outlines mitigation measures designed to reduce train-caused grizzly mortalities in northwest Montana. The Habitat Conservation Plan was developed over years of consultation with bear experts from U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Blackfeet Nation and Glacier National Park. The plan commits more than $2 million to grizzly bear conservation projects and programs over the life of the plan. Fish & Wildlife reviewed the plan for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and determined the project does not have significant effect on the human environment, resulting in a categorical exclusion from further NEPA requirements. Learn more here.
The plan and accompanying documents are available in the Federal Register. 
Pilot Test Begins on Battery-Electric Locomotive The future potential of battery-electric locomotives crossed another significant milestone this month as the technology undergoes testing in revenue service between Barstow and Stockton, California. Developed by Wabtec in partnership with BNSF, the battery-powered heavy-haul locomotive is designed to operate in a hybrid consist and uses technology similar to regenerative braking in electric vehicles. The battery-electric locomotive is expected to reduce the environmental impact from emissions while improving fuel economy, with 10 to 15 percent fuel and emissions savings across the whole train. If the initial pilot proves successful, BNSF will look to expand testing to other locations and operating conditions.
Learn more about how the technology works by watching Wabtec’s battery-electric locomotive video. 
BNSF to Host 22nd Technology Awareness Day Events February 23-26 BNSF will host its 22nd Technology Awareness Day celebration through a series of virtual events February 23-26, 2021. BNSF's Technology Awareness Day is part of the National Black Family Technology Awareness Week. Technology Awareness Day at BNSF is a local version of the campaign that aims to educate local minority youths about careers in the technology field and encourages attendees to design and develop their own technological solutions to real-world challenges that are judged at the event. 
The 2021 theme is “Living in a Virtual World.” Although this event is typically held in person at BNSF headquarters in Fort Worth, this year’s event will be virtual! Students in communities across BNSF’s network are encouraged to participate.
Learn more and register for this event here.
BNSF Employee Spotlight: Maia LaSalle BNSF has partnered with American producers for over 170 years to make the U.S. farming supply chain one of the most efficient and productive in the world. BNSF’s Agriculture Ombudsman for Montana and Wyoming, Maia LaSalle, works closely with farmers to ensure BNSF is connected to what is happening in the field. The Agriculture Ombudsman Program was developed in an effort to better address the needs and concerns of farmers, processors, and shippers.
Learn more about LaSalle's work by watching the video below: 
In the Community
The BNSF Railway Foundation invests in the communities across the 28 states through which BNSF operates, and where BNSF employees live, work and volunteer. Recent donations include: Supporting Traveling Patients and Families
The Great Falls Clinic Legacy Foundation is dedicated to helping patients and families from around Montana seeking treatment at the Great Falls Clinic. The clinic provides medical care to over 250,000 patients each year, with over 40% of these patients traveling from outlying areas. 
There has been a need in the community for patient housing for those receiving outpatient treatment. BNSF Railway Foundation contributed $10,000 toward the goal of building and sustaining free housing to support patients and their families in North Central Montana. Improving Home Heating for Hopi and Navajo Families
The Red Feather Development Group partners with American Indian nations to develop and implement sustainable solutions to the housing needs within their communities. The organization assembles funding, professionals, volunteers and materials to address each family's most urgently needed home health and safety repairs. BNSF Railway Foundation’s contribution of $10,000 supports healthy heating for Hopi and Navajo families. Heating system improvements focus on heating efficiency, air quality, and safety.
Equipping the Greybull Fire Department
Greybull Wyoming Volunteer Firefighters Association raises funds that support the Greybull Volunteer Fire Department in providing fire protection and emergency response in the town and surrounding areas. In addition to responding to fires, the Fire Department also responds to medical emergencies, motor vehicle accidents, rescue calls, and incidents involving hazardous materials. A $10,000 grant from the BNSF Railway Foundation will go toward the upgrade and replacement of equipment.
Emergencies – Call 800-832-5452 To report a vehicle stalled on a crossing, suspicious circumstances, malfunctioning crossing gates and lights or any other emergency, call 800-832-5452 immediately.
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