J. B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc. (Lowell, Ark.) has been awarded the right to use the "SmartWay" logo by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) SmartWay Transport Partnership. The EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership program is a voluntary effort between the government and the transportation industry to develop and implement methods to improve air quality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation. This recognition is only given to approximately 10% of the companies participating in the program.
Over the past several years, J.B. Hunt has invested in aerodynamic tractors, low viscosity drive train lubricants, tire inflation monitoring programs, idle and speed management practices, and intermodal service. These efforts have reportedly made the Company's operations more fuel efficient and less polluting. When compared to a base operation with no innovations around fuel efficiency, the company reports that its efforts have amounted to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 56%, particulate matter by 84%, and nitrogen oxides by 88%. On a per truck basis, J.B. Hunt has reduced emissions by fifteen tons per year.
"Besides being one of the safest transportation companies on the road, we are also one of the more sustainable and environmentally-friendly," said Kirk Thompson, president and CEO. "We will continue to seek further improvements in our fuel efficiency while reducing the impact on air quality by making our operations less dependent on carbon-based fossil fuel."
