Why is the SmartWay Transport Partnership important?
Shipping goods is vital to the US economy. However, freight shipments have an environmental cost. Freight trucks and locomotives consume 35 billion gallons of diesel fuel each year, and burning this fuel produces over 350 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Current trends indicate that, by 2012, ground freight transportation will consume over 45 billion gallons of diesel fuel and produce over 450 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These levels represent an increase of over 25 percent compared to today’s levels. The SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to significantly reduce these emissions. By 2012, the Partnership will cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 33 to 66 million metric tons per year, and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions by up to 200,000 tons per year. This will save the equivalent of up to 150 million barrels of oil per year. That’s the same as removing up to 12 million cars from the road each year.
