These are the second annual awards for SmartWay, which was created in 2004 as a collaborative effort between the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry. The aim by 2012 is to reduce between 33-66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per year, which will result in fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually. Primary components of the program are creating partnerships, reducing all unnecessary engine idling and increasing the efficiency and use of rail and intermodal operations.
The agency points to the three-year commitments to upgrade trucks that are already underway. Estimates are that partners are using 600 million gallons less of diesel fuel, which translates into $2 billion savings and eliminating seven million metric tons of CO2 emissions.
"Recipients of this year's SmartWay Excellence Awards are showing the financial and environmental values of cutting petroleum use in their transportation operations," says Marcus Peacock, EPA deputy administrator. "Through their voluntary participation in the SmartWay Transport Partnership, these companies are supporting EPA in moving the nation forward to a healthier and more secure future."
And the winners are: · Alliance Shippers, Inc.; American Trucking Associations; · Cascade Sierra Solutions; · Contract Freighters, Inc. (CFI); · CSX Transportation; · Exel; · IBM Corporation; · JCPenney; · John Christner Trucking LLC; · Johnson & Johnson Sales & Logistics Company, LLC; · Kimberly-Clark Corporation; · Knight Transportation, Inc.; · Langford, Inc.; · Limited Brands Inc.; · Lowe's Companies Inc.; · Meijer; · Metropolitan Trucking, Inc.; · Michelin North America, Inc.; · National Logistics Management, Inc.;· North Central Texas Council of Governments;· Office Depot;· Orlicks Inc.;· P.A.M. Transportation Services, Inc.;· Quad/Graphics, Inc.;· Roehl Transport, Inc.;· Schneider National, Inc.;· Sharp Electronics Corporation;· Smithfield Transportation Co., Inc.;· STERIS Corporation;· Superior Financial Group;· Swift Transportation Company;· TransAm Trucking, Inc.;· Wal-Mart.
