SmartWay Transport Partnership
by Len Dunman
On May 6, 2008, Mercer Transportation was accepted as a SmartWay Transport Partner. SmartWay is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is a voluntary partnership between the EPA and various freight industry sectors that benchmarks current fleet performance and establishes incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The goal is to reduce, by 2012, between 33-66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per year. This initiative is estimated to also result in fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.
A key component of the program is the initiative to reduce unnecessary idling. Communities throughout the country (including Louisville) have, or will soon have, no-idle laws. The Louisville facility has house power plug-ins in both Lot 2 and Lot 3 and drivers are strongly encouraged to shut down and plug in, or run their APU (Drivers without APU's should seriously consider investing in one within the next two years). Other emission reduction strategies are the use of aerodynamic components (mirrors, fairings, wings,etc), super single tires, synthetic lubricants, and lighter weight equipment. Strict adherance to posted speed limits is also important, as it is reflected in the fleet mpg figures each year. Mercer's fleet average for 2007 was 6.02 mpg. That is the benchmark.
The fact that an owner-operator company can qualify as a SmartWay Partner is significant. As a 100% owner-operator company, Mercer obviously cannot spec its way to emissions reductions through OEM equipment purchases. Instead, it will be important to manage the type of fleet that we have and will have. Our 2010 goals have been submitted, approved, and are attainable. It will be up to everyone to work together to achieve them.
On May 6, 2008, Mercer Transportation was accepted as a SmartWay Transport Partner. SmartWay is a program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). It is a voluntary partnership between the EPA and various freight industry sectors that benchmarks current fleet performance and establishes incentives for fuel efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The goal is to reduce, by 2012, between 33-66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions per year. This initiative is estimated to also result in fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually.
A key component of the program is the initiative to reduce unnecessary idling. Communities throughout the country (including Louisville) have, or will soon have, no-idle laws. The Louisville facility has house power plug-ins in both Lot 2 and Lot 3 and drivers are strongly encouraged to shut down and plug in, or run their APU (Drivers without APU's should seriously consider investing in one within the next two years). Other emission reduction strategies are the use of aerodynamic components (mirrors, fairings, wings,etc), super single tires, synthetic lubricants, and lighter weight equipment. Strict adherance to posted speed limits is also important, as it is reflected in the fleet mpg figures each year. Mercer's fleet average for 2007 was 6.02 mpg. That is the benchmark.
The fact that an owner-operator company can qualify as a SmartWay Partner is significant. As a 100% owner-operator company, Mercer obviously cannot spec its way to emissions reductions through OEM equipment purchases. Instead, it will be important to manage the type of fleet that we have and will have. Our 2010 goals have been submitted, approved, and are attainable. It will be up to everyone to work together to achieve them.