advertisement

---

CSX Transportation and EcoTrans Technologies L.L.C. recently were named recipients of the 2003 Texas Environmental Excellence Award in the "Technology" category for their auxiliary power unit (APU).


Established in 1993, Texas Environmental Excellence Awards are presented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to honor outstanding waste-reduction and pollution-prevention projects in the state. The commission plans to present awards May 6.


In March, CSXT also received Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Air Excellence Award for the APU, which is designed to reduce idling locomotives' fuel consumption and oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions.


In 2001, CSXT developed and patented the APU, and formed EcoTrans with International Road and Rail to produce and market the unit.


"[The APU] helps user railroads meet federal emission standards while saving 10,000 to 20,000 gallons of fuel per year per locomotive, depending on the type of service the locomotives are performing," said W. Michael Cantrell, CSXT senior vice president-advanced operations technologies, in a prepared statement.