Features
Making Green Choices
Union Pacific develops environmentally friendly technology, operating practices
By Debra Schafer, general director maintenance of way-environmental for Union Pacific
Every day, Union Pacific trains pull through 23 states and 7,000 communities. And every day, more than 50,000 Union Pacific employees work around the clock for the good of those communities. We care about the things they care about. Their daily concerns are our concerns. That’s one reason why Union Pacific is committed to protecting the environment.
We are working aggressively to become even cleaner and greener. I’m proud to work for a company that is constantly developing technology and operating practices to reduce emissions, improve air quality, conserve fuel and protect our natural resources. Let me tell you about what we’ve been up to lately.
Pioneering low-emission technology
To reduce yard emissions, Union Pacific pioneered the Genset switcher, which uses a modified ultra-low-emissions, EPA-certified, off-road diesel engine. The Genset reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides by 80 percent and particulate matter by 90 percent.
The railroad recently developed the more powerful next generation Genset. The new model can perform the same switching tasks in less time than the prototypes, increasing efficiency and reducing emissions. The four new next generation Gensets, which will operate at UP’s Roseville, Calif., rail yard, are among the 164 Gensets in the railroad’s fleet.
In addition, the railroad is testing the world’s first diesel-battery hybrid switch locomotive, the Green Goat. We are also evaluating experimental aftermarket technology, such as the Oxicat (Oxidation Catalyst)–equipped long-haul locomotive and the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter)–equipped low-horsepower yard locomotive.
Reducing locomotive idling
In a railroad operating environment, locomotive engines may be kept idling for a variety of reasons. As part of a plan to reduce the amount of idle time, all new locomotives have Automatic Engine Stop-Start (AESS) equipment, and older locomotives are being retrofitted with it. Approximately 40 percent of our locomotive fleet is now equipped with this technology.
Since 1994, Union Pacific has improved fuel efficiency by more than 20 percent. In 2007, employees saved more than 21 million gallons of diesel fuel, mostly through Fuel Masters, a program that rewards locomotive engineers for efficiently operating trains.
Protecting our resources
Union Pacific’s conservation efforts aren’t limited to locomotives. The railroad has recycled nearly 150,000 pounds of electronic equipment and nearly 6 million pounds of batteries since 2004.
We operate and maintain numerous wastewater treatment facilities designed to capture and process wastewater from UP fueling and maintenance operations. In addition, Union Pacific has implemented and maintains Stormwater Pollution Prevention plans at all facilities where maintenance and fueling occurs.
And Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure plans, designed to prevent releases of oil to the environment, have been prepared and implemented at the 145 Union Pacific facilities.
Raising awareness
Union Pacific’s commitment to protecting the environment has not gone unnoticed. During the past year, UP has been recognized with the Environmental Excellence in Transportation (E2T) Award from the Society of Automotive Engineers International and the 2008 CALSTART Blue Sky Merit Award.
Last month, I received the AAR’s John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award. While I was extremely honored to earn this award, I know that it’s all Union Pacific employees, working together, who are making the railroad an industry leader in pioneering environmentally friendly technologies. And that’s something that everyone — from my fellow employees to the communities we serve — can feel good about.
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