Railway Association of Canada releases 2011 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring report

The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) today released its 2011 report on greenhouse gases (GHG) and criteria air contaminants (CAC) emitted from locomotives operating in Canada.

Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program 2011 shows that, assuming that they maintain this level of performance, Canadian railways are on track to meet their 2015 GHG reduction targets, demonstrating solid fuel economy in light of increased freight volumes and passenger traffic.

The report is the first prepared under the 2011-2015 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the RAC and Transport Canada, which encourages RAC members, including Class I freight, regional and shortlines, and intercity passenger operations to voluntarily cut emissions intensity. Under the previous MOU, these companies met their 2010 GHG reduction targets.

Through implementation of the 2011-2015 Action Plan for Reducing GHG Emissions, Canadian railways and the federal government will continue their efforts reduce GHG emissions in the railway sector and achieve the expected outcome of the MOU.

Highlights:

• GHG emissions from all railway operations in Canada totalled 5,954.70 kt, down 3.3 per cent from 6,156.82 kt in 2010.
• For overall freight operations, the GHG emissions intensity (in kg of CO2eq per 1,000 RTK) decreased from 16.72 in 2010 to 15.63 in 2011.
• In 2011, Canadian railways invested heavily in fleet upgrades with 77 Tier 2 high-horsepower locomotives added to the Class I Freight Line-haul fleet and 132 locomotives were upgraded to Tier 0+ and Tier 1+.
• Older and lower horsepower locomotives continue to be retired and in 2011, 65 medium-horsepower locomotives manufactured between 1973 and 1999 were taken out of active duty.

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The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) represents some 50 goods, tourist, commuter and intercity rail businesses in Canada, their more than 32,000 employees, and more than 50 associate-member suppliers. The RAC acts to inform officials, develop programs, policies and resources, and to respectfully communicate with the public and media. It also works to strengthen the role and capacity of rail to deliver leading services that are economically viable, socially cohesive and environmentally sustainable. Learn more at www.railcan.ca. Follow us on Twitter: @RailCanada or Facebook: www.facebook.com/RailCanada.

Links:

Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Program homepage

2011-2015 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Memorandum of Understanding

LEM 2011-2015 Action Plan for Reducing GHG Emissions