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Wal-Mart and Tyson Join EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership

Release Date: 10/4/2004
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Today EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt announced that Wal-Mart, the world's top retailer, and Tyson Foods, one of the largest food producers in the nation, have joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a major voluntary program that is increasing the energy efficiency and energy security of our country, while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Today's announcement was made at the Tyson Hangar in Bentonville, Arkansas. "I am proud to welcome Wal-Mart and Tyson Foods to the SmartWay program," Administrator Leavitt said. "They are leading the way, with existing partners, for more companies to join us in making our economy stronger, our air cleaner, and - at the same time - improving their bottom line."  The SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to reduce, by 2012, between 33 and 66 million metric tons of CO2 emissions per year, as much as 200,000 tons of NOx emissions per year, and increase fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil per year. SmartWay Transport partners can achieve fuel efficiency in a variety of ways, including automatic tire-inflation systems, next generation super single tires, the use of low-viscosity lubricants, reducing truck idling time, and improving routing and scheduling.

Wal-Mart and Tyson Join EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership Page 2 of 2

     The Clean Air Interstate Rule (CAIR) will provide additional reductions in nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions in the United States.  The program would ultimately result in a 65 percent reduction in emissions of nitrogen oxides and 70 percent reduction in emissions of sulfur dioxides from current levels.  This program, due to be finalized later this year, would use a cap-and-trade approach to provide cost effective reductions in air pollution.
 
     Earlier this month, EPA announced a $100,000 SmartWay Transport program grant award to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to evaluate potential benefits from implementing truck stop electrification to reduce truck idling time.
 
     The suite of new clean air rules is an important part of EPA Administrator Mike Leavitt's 500-day plan to increase the velocity of environmental progress in the nation.  More information about the Clean Air Rules of 2004 is available at https://www.epa.gov/cleanair2004.  Additional information on the SmartWay Transport Partnership is available at https://www.epa.gov/smartway.