February 20, 2004—Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Mike Leavitt has joined 52 freight shippers and carriers from around the nation to promote the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a major voluntary program that will increase the energy efficiency and energy security of the US while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
EPA estimates the SmartWay Transport Partnership can achieve nearly 10% of President Bush’s goal of every sector of the American economy contributing to reducing US greenhouse gas emissions by 18% by 2012. In addition, the adoption of these 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, says EPA.
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 reportedly 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.
SmartWay Transport 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.
