Norfolk Southern (NS) recently joined the US Green Building Council (USGBC) which is a membership-based, non-profit organization committed to a sustainable future via green buildings that are cost efficient and energy saving.
NS’s most recent public-private partnership initiative, named the Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight programme will make the most of rail transportation in order to cut down on fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Under this programme, three proposed intermodal terminals located in Birmingham, Alabama; Greencastle, Pennsylvania and Memphis, Tennessee will be presented for the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification.
Wick Moorman, CEO of Norfolk Southern, said: “Railroads are the most environmentally friendly means of moving the goods that move the economy. Norfolk Southern’s goal is to lead the industry in emissions reduction, efficient energy use, and environmentally focused public-private partnerships.”
The company is in the process of implementing a number of ‘green’ activities throughout the operations of its facilities. These include the utilization of low emission cranes and tractors that will lessen particulate emissions up to 90% and nitrogen oxide emissions by 45%. New methods currently being toyed with are to diminish truck idling and also strategies to trim down the usage of electricity.
Chris Smith, COO of USGBC, said: “By becoming a member company of the U.S. Green Building Council, Norfolk Southern is demonstrating its commitment to our shared goal of a more sustainably-built environment.”
One of the US’s top transportation companies, Norfolk Southern Corporation operates close to 21,000 route miles across 22 states as well as the District of Columbia. NS operates on one of the most widespread intermodal networks in the East, and is known to be North America’s largest rail carrier of metals and automotive products.
