Amtrak report highlights sustainability actions

Amtrak yesterday released its Fiscal-Year 2020 Sustainability Report that showcases the national intercity passenger railroad’s sustainability projects across regions and operations.

The report details Amtrak's measured progress against annual and long-term sustainability goals.

At the start of its fiscal year that began July 1, 2019, Amtrak was operating at record ridership. As the pandemic spread across the nation, ridership decreased significantly.

Although travel slowed, the railroad's leaders used 2020 to continue planning the future of U.S. passenger rail. Amtrak advanced climate resilience research and response including, developing Amtrak's first solar power purchase agreement contract, developing tools to incorporate climate risks into capital planning, and initiating internal climate roundtables across various departments, Amtrak officials said in a press release.

"By investing in innovative equipment and new technologies, protecting vital rail infrastructure from climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding access to new communities, we can work together to create a future where intercity rail is operated on clean energy," said Chief Executive Officer Bill Flynn. "Investment decisions made today position us to achieve these goals. These visions and our strong sustainability story continue to evolve and grow every year."

The full report can be read here.