EPA names Coos Bay a ‘Smartway’ partner

Short line Coos Bay Rail Link (CBR) has been named a new member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay® Transport Partnership program, the railroad announced Monday, May 19, 2014.

In a letter to Coos Bay, Ore.-based short line,  EPA noted CBR’s commitment to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.
As the 19th rail carrier in the nation to become a SmartWay member, CBR joins its sister railroad, San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad, based in Benson, Ariz. ARG Transportation Services,  based in Eugene, Ore., operates both lines.

“This helps show that ARG is committed to being good stewards of the environment and good neighbors,” said ARG President Scott Parkinson. Added Paul Thomas, vice president of rail operations for ARG, “This designation recognizes the effort that the Coos Bay Rail Link staff has put into operating in the most efficient manner.” 

Thomas thanked all CBR employees for their help. “They save fuel, lower costs, and reduce adverse environmental impacts.” CBR Office Manager Treece Rempolos, cited for his role in the railroad’s designation, said, “EPA’s SmartWay program will track fuel usage and help us improve our efficiency from year to year.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, since SmartWay began in 2004, its more than 3,000 members have saved 121 million barrels of oil, eliminated 52 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, and reduced 738,000 tons of nitrogen dioxide and 37,000 tons of particulate matter.

Coos Bay Rail Link ran its first revenue freight train in October 2011. Last March Railway Age named Coos Bay Rail Link its 2014 Short Line Railroad of the Year.