CSX Corp. plans to reduce the CO2 emissions associated with its train operations by 8 percent per revenue ton mile by 2011 as part of its participation in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Climate Leaders Program.
The Jacksonville, Fla.-based company said its emissions reduction goal is the first commitment to the EPA from a major transportation provider. The company expects to reduce C02 emissions by 2.4 million tons, which is the equivalent of taking 441,000 cars off the road each year, or burning 5,598,000 fewer barrels of oil.
Railroad companies including CSX are beginning to test new ultra-low emission engines and tout "cleaner and greener" locomotives.
Since 1980, the railroad industry has invested more than $1 billion to upgrade its fleet with more efficient, Tier II clean air locomotives and has improved locomotive fuel efficiency by over 80 percent, according to CSX. By the end of 2009, an additional 1,200 CSX locomotives will be upgraded to further reduce emissions and lower fuel consumption by nearly 10 million gallons, according to the company.
In CSX's non-railroad operations, the company plans to use building space more efficiently, improve HVAC systems, and install energy-efficient lighting and automatic computer-shutdown software.
