| Two Joplin companies are part of the 34 businesses and organizations recognized by the US Environmental Protection Agency recently at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Philadelphia. Contract Freighters and 4 State Trucks were granted 2007 SmartWay Excellence Awards for environmental leadership in reducting fuel consumption and lowering greenhouse-gas emissions from big trucks.
According to a release by Dave Ryan of the EPA, this year's recipients "have integrated a broad range of innovative fuel-saving strategies and technologies into their freight and fleet operations, leading to reduced energy consumption and cleaner air." These improvements include installation of auxiliary power units, which eliminate the need to idle an engine all night to heat or cool the cab while a driver sleeps.
"Because of three-year commitments to upgrade their trucks with auxiliary power units, energy efficient tires, enhanced trailer aerodynamics, and other improvements, SmartWay partners are saving 600 million gallons of diesel fuel--a cost benefit of almost $2 billion--and eliminating nearly seven million metric tons of carbon-dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming," Ryan reported.
The EPA launched SmartWay in 2004 to address the environmental and economic challenges surrounding growth in the freight industry. Through the program, EPA is now working with more than 600 businesses to improve both their bottom line and the environment by offering technical assistance, tools for evaluating opportunities to lower fuel use and emissions, and help in locating financing for the purchase of fuel-saving equipment and technology, Ryan said.
Other recognizable firms with local retail outlets that were commended are: JC Penney, Lowe's, Office Depot and Wal-Mart.
Go Back | 
