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New Jersey Truckers Driving Toward Environmental Excellence

Release Date: 11/02/2006
Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez (212) 637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, NY) Four New Jersey companies were among 23 honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a ceremony this week at the American Trucking Association’s annual conference for employing excellent environmental practices. The companies are cutting pollution from their fleets by reducing idling, installing less-polluting equipment and getting the word out to recruit more participants in EPA’s program to cut diesel emissions and improve energy efficiency in the freight sector – the SmartWay Transport Partnership.

“Our SmartWay partners are shrinking their environmental footprint while increasing their bottom line,” said Alan J. Steinberg, EPA Regional Administrator. “These award winners are joining President Bush and EPA on our drive toward cleaner air, a healthier economy, and a secure energy future.”

The award-winning NJ companies based in East Brunswick, Mahwah, Vineland and Westampton are all part of the EPA SmartWay Transport Partnership that promotes reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by integrating innovative strategies and technologies into their fleet operations.

The New Jersey Motor Truck Association (NJMTA) of East Brunswick, NJ was honored for its work to recruit nine new carriers into the SmartWay Transport Partnership and for promoting the program in its membership newsletter and at industry and state-wide transportation conferences. NJMTA is a non-profit trade association that has more than 1000 members and most of the members operate truck fleets. NJMTA has been a key partner in promoting environmental stewardship throughout the industry.

Sharp Electronics Corporation of Mahwah, NJ made some changes in the way it operates, such as strict pick-up scheduling and expedited border crossing, to help reduce idling. It also increased its use of intermodel transportation, improved loading facilities by installing motion sensors and energy-efficient lighting, and increased preventative maintenance to keep their forklifts and loaders running efficiently. In addition, Sharp installed SmartWay no-idling signs at loading facilities, created a SmartWay Web page on both their inter and intranets, and promoted the program to others in their industry. Sharp also includes the SmartWay logo on their transport-related company communications. As a result of their many outreach activities, they have recruited over 20 SmartWay partners to date.

National Freight, Inc. of Vineland, NJ has taken a proactive approach to emissions and fuel use reduction, which it refers to as the “Four T’s” (tactical, tracking, training, and technology). It has tested and selected power units that are efficient and don’t require the trucks to idle. All of the company’s new tractors will be equipped with fairing kits and all new trailers will be equipped with tire inflation systems. National Freight staff also promoted SmartWay during several industry presentations and public outreach.

New Century Transportation, Inc. of Westampton, NJ has outfitted all of its long haul trucks with auxiliary power units so they don’t have to idle, technology to automatically shutdown engines when they’ve idled too long, more fuel efficient wide-based tires, and improved aerodynamics, in addition to employing a fleet-wide speed management policy. New Century has also done extensive industry outreach on SmartWay related technolo-
gies and strategies.

Nationally, the SmartWay Transport Partnership help carriers and shippers improve their business and the environment by helping them access fuel- and emissions-saving technologies, such as engine idle reduction technology, low rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and exhaust after-treatment devices, which can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent, and help reduce pollution from carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter emissions. The Partnership provides companies with technical assistance, tools for evaluating opportunities, and help locating financing to purchase these technologies.

More than 450 companies have joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership. EPA and its partners are on track to save over $1.2 billion on fuel costs and remove more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the air by 2007. By 2012, the Partnership will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 33 to 66 million metric tons per year, and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 200,000 tons per year. This is equivalent to removing up to 12 million cars off the road each year or the equivalent of saving up to 150 million barrels of oil per year.

Smart Way Excellence Awards were also presented to exemplary shipping companies at the Annual National Association of Environmental Management Conference in Savannah, Georgia, on October 25. EPA recently expanded the Partnership’s focus to include SmartWay Grow & Go, which emphasizes the environmental benefits of renewable fuels.

For more information on the SmartWay Transport Partnership, go to: https://www.epa.gov/smartway/region2.htm

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