OIG: Amtrak should use data to help achieve emissions reduction goals

Amtrak appears to be on track to reach its goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions and increase its purchase of carbon-free and renewable electricity, but it has opportunities to use its own data to reduce excess locomotive idling and to train employees about its sustainability goals, according to an Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report.

Amtrak set a goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions to 40% below its 2010 baseline by 2030. To help reach its target, the railroad set goals to purchase 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and 100% renewable electricity by 2035.

The railroad has taken up several initiatives to meet those goals, including buying more efficient electric locomotives for the Northeast Corridor and more fuel-efficient diesel locomotives for use nationwide. It has also switched to more energy-efficient LED lighting in facilities and stations. The railroad developed a plan to increase carbon-free electricity purchases to achieve the 2030 goal, OIG officials said in the report released last week.

However, Amtrak could more easily achieve its goals by leveraging data it already collects to further reduce excessive idling of its diesel locomotives and by mandating training on sustainability goals for management, they said.

Although Amtrak has reduced excess idling — idling for more than an hour — by 21% from October 2016 through March 2022, additional efforts would not only reduce emissions, but would cut fuel costs and locomotive wear-and-tear, the OIG said.

To read the full report, click here.