BNSF measures customers’ carbon footprints
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefBNSF has informed its customers that by shipping via rail rather than truck in 2010, they reduced emissions by more than 21 million metric tons of CO2, “also equivalent to reducing the consumption and resultant emissions of more than 2 billion gallons of diesel fuel.”
BNSF for the third consecutive year provided its shippers with customized letters analyzing their total rail carbon footprint and savings compared tomoving shipments by highway.
Based on commodity type, weight, and distance traveled by rail, the calculation also weighs the varying fuel efficiencies of trailer, container, or carload shipments. BNSF developed the methodology with the help of Clear Carbon Consulting.
“Rail provides enormous value in reducing the country’s overall transportation emissions and carbon footprint,” said John Lanigan, BNSF executive vice president and chief marketing officer. “BNSF can move a ton of freight 500 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel. That is at least three times more efficient than an all-truck option, which helps reduce our dependence on imported oil while also reducing traffic on our nation’s crowded highways.”
