UP joins environmental initiative
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefUnion Pacific Tuesday said it has joined the Global Environmental Management Initiative, or GEMI, an organization of leading companies dedicated to fostering global environmental, health and safety, and sustainability excellence.
“GEMI’s mission of business helping business achieve environmental sustainability excellence aligns very well with Union Pacific’s environmental management strategies and practices,” said Bob Grimaila, Union Pacific vice president-Safety, Security and Environment. “We look forward to collaborating with GEMI members from other industries as we continue to improve our role as an environmentally responsible freight transportation leader.”
UP cited its existing role in developing environmental management practices and technology as a springboard for its GEMI participation, including its use of Genset switching locomotives, which use ultra-low emissions, EPA-certified, off-road diesel engines. UP says its fleet of more than 160 Gensets represents approximately half of all Gensets operating worldwide.
UP also employs a comprehensive fuel-efficiency strategy for its more than 8,000 locomotives across its 32,100-mile rail network, and implements an environmental management process that includes systems and employee training to help reduce the company’s environmental impact.
