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EPA Announces New National Initiative to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Air Quality

Release Date: 01/10/2003
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(01/10/03) Today, in Chicago Ill. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Christie Whitman, along with partners from leading multi-national corporations, announced a new voluntary effort called SmartWay Transport. SmartWay Transport Charter Partners have agreed to work with EPA to develop performance measures or goals to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save fuel, and protect public health. These companies are demonstrating that these efforts can also make good business sense by not only saving money but also helping the environment.

SmartWay Transport aims to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions from ground freight carriers such as trucks and locomotives. By 2012 this initiative aims to reduce as much as 18 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, and up to 200,000 tons of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) annually. These reductions will create fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.

“Our SmartWay truck and rail partners are working with EPA to develop ways to cut emissions and conserve fuel.” said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. “Their environmental stewardship will improve air quality and increase efficiency while transporting America’s goods and keeping our economy vital.”

Eventually participating corporations will earn SmartWay labels that will distinguish them as having made significant commitments to reducing emissions. This voluntary partnership was developed and modeled after EPA’s highly successful Energy Star Program. Where Energy Star focuses on reducing pollution from consumer products and labeling energy efficient buildings, SmartWay Transport will help to reduce pollution from the vehicles that move these products to their destination.

EPA and its Charter Partners are presently working to finalize how program goals will be met. To be recognized as a SmartWay Transport partner companies may incorporate the following environmental strategies and technologies. These strategies include:

Idle Reduction:

Reducing or eliminating prolonged idling of long-haul trucks can save up to 2,000 gallons per truck each year, reduce emissions and lower engine maintenance costs.

Improved Aerodynamics:

Using a streamlined profile truck tractor with aerodynamic devices such as cab extenders can reduce fuel consumption by at least 600 gallons and eliminate over six metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year compared to a typical classic profile tractor.

Improved Freight Logistics:

Logistic strategies can increase the efficiency of trucking operations, save fuel and increase profits for trucking companies. Logistic strategies include load matching, more efficient routing and scheduling of vehicles and improved receiving policies. If a long haul carrier reduces its empty mileage by just one percent it can save nearly 200 gallons of fuel and eliminate almost two metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions per truck each year.

Self Inflating Tire Systems:

Automatic tire inflation systems monitor and continually adjust the level of pressurized air to tires, maintaining proper tire pressure even when the truck is moving. Installing automatic tire inflation systems on truck and trailer axles can save nearly $300 per year in tire replacement costs and reduce fuel consumption by at least 90 gallons per year for a typical combination truck with an annual cost saving of at least $135 and eliminating at least one metric ton of greenhouse gas emissions.

Driver Training:

Well-trained drivers can reduce fuel consumption by applying simple techniques such as the use of cruise control, coasting whenever possible, reducing maximum freeway speeds and minimizing truck idling. Driver training can improve fuel economy by at least five percent saving more than $1,000 in fuel costs and eliminating nearly eight metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions each year.

These SmartWay Transport partners are accomplishing these important goals above and beyond what is required of them as part of EPA’s regulatory programs. Charter SmartWay partners are listed below. Additional information on SmartWay Transport is available at https://www.epa.gov/otaq/smartway/index.htm
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SmartWay Transport Charter Partners
Canon USA, Inc.
Coca Cola
CSX
Federal Express Corporation
H-E-B Grocery Company
IKEA
Interface, Inc.
Nike Inc
Norm Thompson Outfitters
Roadway Corporation
Schneider National, Inc.
UPS
Yellow Transportation