Canadian railroads on track with greenhouse gas emission reduction, RAC report says

Investments in efficient locomotives and other fuel-management strategies appear to be paying off for Canadian railroads, which are "well positioned" to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets, according to a new report released by the Railway Association of Canada (RAC).

The "Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program" report documents emissions of GHGs and criteria air contaminants (CAC) from locomotives operating in Canada between 2012 and 2013.

In 2013, GHG emissions from all railroad operations in Canada declined 1.6 percent from 2012, according to the report.

Since 1990, Canada's freight and passenger railroads have reduced their GHG emissions intensity by more than a third, RAC officials said in a press release.

"Investments in more efficient locomotives, among other fuel-management technologies and policies, have allowed Canada's railways to make substantial emissions reductions," said RAC President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Bourque. "Today's locomotives can haul a ton of goods almost 200 km on a single liter of fuel, and in doing so, remove more than 300 trucks from the road — limiting harmful emissions and reducing road congestion."

The latest report is the third to be released under a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between RAC and Transport Canada. The MOU encourages RAC's Class I, short line and intercity passenger railroad members to voluntarily cut their emissions intensity.