Norfolk Southern touts sustainability achievements

Norfolk Southern Railway rolled out new low-emission locomotives, reduced unnecessary locomotive idling and set a five-year goal to improve fuel efficiency as part of its sustainability program in 2015, the Class I announced today.

In its new online sustainability report, "What Efficiency Looks Like," NS details its efforts to achieve a "healthy balance between its business imperatives as a publicly traded company and its environmental and social commitments," NS officials said in a press release.

"Corporate sustainability at Norfolk Southern means acting responsibly in the conduct of our business, which enhances our ability to grow business," said Bruno Maestri, vice president of government relations and corporate sustainability officer.

According to the report, NS' environmental performance highlights for 2015 included:
• the rollout of a new class of low-emission Eco locomotives at rail yards in Atlanta and Chicago;
• the introduction of a custom plug-in engine-heating system at rail yards that reduces unnecessary locomotive idling in cold weather; and
• the adoption of a five-year goal to improve locomotive fuel efficiency, which will contribute to NS' goal to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions.

Click on this link to read more about NS' sustainability performance, including the company's economic and social-impact highlights.