Washington Notebook: EPA honors 10 SmartWay Affiliate members

   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency last week honored 10 affiliate members in its SmartWay Transport program with a Challenge Award for supporting policies and practices that reduce truck emissions and improve freight efficiency.
   SmartWay, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary, is a voluntary industry-government program through which long-haul motor carriers, port shuttle truckers and now, barge companies, measure their emissions output and fuel consumption against industry benchmarks, share their findings to help establish the goal posts, and employ technologies and process improvements to reduce fuel consumption and output of pollutants. Shippers in the program compile the measurements of their motor carriers to understand the environmental footprint of their supply chain and commit to move a substantial amount of their cargo with SmartWay certified motor carriers.
   About 3,000 companies and organizations belong to SmartWay. Collectively, they have reduced carbon dioxide use by more than 51 million metric tons, saved 121 million barrels of fuel and saved $16.8 million in fuel costs.
   The SmartWay Affiliates honored by EPA were:

• American Trucking Associations
• Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals
• Environmental Defense Fund
• National Retail Federation
• Retail Leaders Industry Association
• Wisconsin Clean Cities
• Penske Truck Leasing
• Ryder Truck Rental
• Colorado Motor Carriers Association
• North Central Texas Council of Governments

   Affiliates were recognized for member outreach, education and training, and promotional and marketing activities that raise awareness and encourage members to address air pollution from freight operations. 
   The EDF, for example, has worked with the Coalition for Responsible Transportation and others, to promote SmartWay drayage and help small business owners finance the purchase of more modern, less-polluting trucks in and around port areas. RILA participated in SmartWay’s “Legacy Fleet Workgroup,” hosted a webinar for retailers about SmartWay and promoted the program on its website and through other communication with members.