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Clean Car Programs Cut Emissions by More Than the National Emissions of 140 Countries

Clean cars programs adopted by 10 states will reduce global warming emissions by 64 million metric tons per year in 2020, an amount greater than the national emissions of more than 140 nations, according to a new report released today by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group (U.S. PIRG). By 2020, the Clean Cars Programs in these states will eliminate as much carbon dioxide pollution annually as is produced by 63 coal-fired power plants generating enough power for nearly a quarter of U.S. homes. “The pollution reductions from the clean cars standards in these 10 states alone will make a significant dent in the world’s global warming emissions,” said U.S. PIRG Clean Air & Energy Advocate Emily Figdor. “While the Bush administration muzzles scientists about the threats of global warming, these states are making real progress in reducing global warming pollution.” Depending on how automakers choose to comply with the standards, the Clean Cars Program also could reduce gasoline consumption by as much as 7.2 billion gallons per year in 2020 nearly as much as is consumed by all the vehicles in Florida in a year and save consumers up to $16.7 billion annually at the pump in 2020. “It’s […]

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Union Pacific Acquires 60 Environmental Locomotives

Union Pacific Railroad announced it has signed a contract with National Railway Equipment Co. to build 60 environmentally responsible low-emission diesel locomotives for use in its Los Angeles Basin rail yards. The new 2,100-horsepower locomotives are called “Generator-Set,” or “Gen-Set,” switchers. Each locomotive is powered by three 700-horsepower low-emissions U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) non-road Tier 3-certified diesel engines projected to reduce emissions of both nitrous oxides and particulate matter by up to 80 percent, while using as much as 40 percent less fuel compared to current low-horsepower locomotives. Union Pacific began studies and tests of the proto-type Gen-Set switcher locomotive in 2002. Union Pacific will receive 30 of the new low-horsepower locomotives in 2006, with the remaining 30 to be delivered in 2007. These new locomotives will be used to serve customers and sort rail cars for outbound trains. Currently, about 47 percent of Union Pacific’s more than 8,200-unit locomotive fleet is certified under existing EPA Tier 0, Tier 1 or Tier 2 regulations which govern air emissions. That gives Union Pacific the most environmentally friendly locomotive fleet in the nation. It is anticipated that these locomotives will receive California Air Resources Board (CARB) recognition as Ultra-Low Emitting […]

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