American Electric Rail Mapping Act of 2026

This legislation mandates that the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, through the Office of Research, Data, and Innovation, undertake a comprehensive study on the feasibility of rail electrification along both passenger and freight corridors throughout the United States. The study is specifically tasked with identifying all existing and planned rail corridors, detailing how each rail system within those corridors is powered, and classifying them by railroad type.

Furthermore, the Administrator must pinpoint specific rail corridor segments where electrification may be feasible and where other clean rail technologies could be adopted. To ensure a thorough assessment, the Administrator is required to consult with railroad owners and operators, state and local governments, Tribes, and other relevant entities.

The bill also stipulates that existing administrative resources should be utilized to minimize expenditures for the study, with an initial progress report due to Congress within one year and a final report one year thereafter.