The company aims to achieve a 10% reduction from its 2009 emissions by bringing down the emissions per revenue ton-mile to 27.0 grams from 30.0 grams achieved in 2009, while producing 475,000 fewer metric tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere annually by 2014.
The company plans to meet its emissions reduction goal by developing strategy to achieve better fuel economy, including purchase of new, more fuel-efficient locomotives; continued deployment of idle-reduction and train handling technologies; and refined engine maintenance practices.
Further, the company plans to cut direct and indirect emissions from energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting buildings and other facilities on the railroad through projects such as system-wide lighting upgrade and managing its non-rail vehicle fleet to save fuel and emissions.
Norfolk Southern vice president real estate and corporate sustainability officer Blair Wimbush said that establishing this goal is an important step toward fulfillment of Norfolk Southern’s objective to achieve industry leadership in environmentally responsible business practices.
“Disclosing our carbon footprint last year was the first step. Now, we move forward with an aggressive yet realistic goal, and we have the tools to measure our progress towards attaining it,” Wimbush said.
