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EPA Recognizes Southeastern Smartway Transport Partners

Release Date: 04/22/2004
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, (404) 562-8421, harris-young.dawn@epa.gov

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency recognized 17 freight shippers and carriers from around the southeast to promote the SmartWay Transport Partnership. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a major voluntary program that will increase the energy efficiency and energy security of our country, while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Today's recognition ceremony was held at the Sam Nunn Atlanta Federal Center in Atlanta, Georgia. Companies recognized included: Arnold Transportation Services; Averitt Express; Bridgestone-Firestone North American Tire, LLC; Cardinal Freight Carriers; Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc.; CSX Transportation; DHL Express; Estes Express Lines; FedEx Express; FedEx Freight; Interface, Inc.; Michelin North America; Southeastern Freight Lines; The Home Depot; UPS; Volvo Logistics North America; and Xpress Global Systems. Two years ago, President Bush challenged every sector of the American economy to contribute to reducing the greenhouse gas intensity of our economy by 18% by 2012. EPA estimates the SmartWay Transport Partnership can achieve nearly ten percent of the President's goal. In addition, the adoption of SmartWay Transport's best practices in combination with the new regulations for reduction of sulfur in diesel fuel will have an immediate and large impact on meeting the nation's air quality standards. The SmartWay Transport Partnership also assists industry in adopting improved practices, processes and energy technologies that are cost-effective, cleaner, more efficient, and more capable of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases. SmartWay Transport partners can achieve fuel efficiency in a variety of ways, including automatic tire-inflation systems, the use of low-viscosity lubricants, reducing truck idling time, and improving routing and scheduling. SmartWay Transport fuel savings will result in reductions of at least 33 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxides, an air pollutant that causes smog and respiratory problems. Companies can become a SmartWay Transport Partner by committing to an environmental improvement goal over a three-year period and annually reporting their progress to EPA. Partners who achieve superior performance are eligible to display EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership logo in their advertising, marketing, and business-to-business interactions to signify their environmental stewardship. Additional information on: SmartWay Transport Partnership is available at: www.epa.gov/smartway Climate VISION is available at: www.climatevision.gov