CSXT continues to invest in new technologies, reduce emissions
(CSX issued the following on November 9, 2009.)
CHICAGO CSX Transportation (CSXT) continues to invest in technology to make its fleet of more than 4,000 locomotives as efficient as possible. Efficient locomotives, pulling an average of 7 million carloads of freight annually on CSXT, allow freight railroads to be the most environmentally friendly way to move goods over land.
Since 2000, CSXT has invested more than $1 billion in technology to upgrade its locomotive fleet, allowing for a 90 percent improvement in fuel efficiency since 1980. This drastic improvement in efficiency has allowed for lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. We continually research and invest in new technologies that are good for the environment and also meet the needs of our customers, Carl Gerhardstein, CSXT director of environmental systems said at the Greening of Transportation panel discussion at the Fall 2009 Business Advisory Council Meeting hosted by Northwestern Universitys Transportation Center in Evanston, IL.
As a leader in green transportation, CSXT was the first Class 1 railroad to join the EPAs Climate Leaders program and has been recognized for its commitment to developing and implementing environmentally-friendly initiatives.
Gerhardstein discussed CSXTs commitment to environmental stewardship with students from Northwestern Universitys McCormick School of Engineering and Kellogg School of Management as well as national business leaders. Citing CSXTs work to upgrade its fleet of rail cars, Gerhardstein emphasized the companys commitment to reducing emissions and increasing energy savings through innovative methods.
Gerhardstein also addressed the National Gateway initiative, an $842 million, multi-state public-private infrastructure project which will create a more efficient freight rail route between Mid-Atlantic ports and Midwestern markets. By enabling containers to be double-stacked, the National Gateway will allow shippers to better leverage the advantages of freight rail transportation and reduce their carbon footprint by significantly reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions.
The EPA estimates that moving freight by rail emits three times less nitrogen oxide and particulates per ton mile than highway transportation - shifting 10% of long-haul freight from the highway to the railroad would reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by more than 12 million tons, Gerhardstein said.
Additionally, CSXT is partnering with local and state governments and other private-sector partners to introduce ultra-low emission GenSet locomotives to rail yards across its network. GenSet locomotives reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions by 80 percent and can create carbon dioxide emissions savings of up to 50 percent by monitoring engine idling and switching to a sleep mode after a period of inactivity. CSXT was the first railroad to put these fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly locomotives to use in the state of Illinois, employing them at the Barr Yard in Riverdale, a southern suburb of Chicago.
CSX Transportation Inc. is a principal operating company of CSX Corporation. CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., is one of the leading transportation companies, providing rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services. The companys transportation network spans 21,000 miles with service to 23 eastern states and the District of Columbia, and connects to more than 70 ocean, river, and lake ports. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at the companys web site, www.csx.com.
