The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized trucking companies for environmental excellence during an award ceremony this week at the American Trucking Associations annual conference in Grapevine, Texas.

Under the SmartWay Transport Partnership, EPA joins with members of the freight industry to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by integrating strategies and new technologies into their fleet operations.
The SmartWay Excellence Awardees are (categorized by sector and size):

Large, For-Hire Carriers

Contract Freighters Inc. of Joplin, Mo.
Roehl Transport Inc. of Marshfield, Wis.
Schneider National Inc. of Green Bay, Wis.
YRC Worldwide Inc. of Overland Park, Kan.

Small-to-Mid-Size, For-Hire Carriers

Bison Transport Inc. of Winnipeg, Manitoba
Langford Trucking Inc. of St. Cloud, Minn.
National Freight Inc. of Vineland, N.J.
New Century Transportation Inc. of Westhampton, N.J.
O & S Trucking Inc. of Springfield, Mo.

Private Fleets

H-E-B of San Antonio, Texas
Smithfield Transportation Co., Inc. of Smithfield, Va.
Quad Graphics Inc. of Sussex, Wis.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. of Bentonville, Ark.

“The freight industry drives America's economy, and EPA's SmartWay partners are keeping more money in their pockets while helping us all breathe easier,” said EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson. “These award winners are joining President Bush and EPA on our drive toward cleaner air, a healthier economy, and a secure energy future.”
SmartWay helps carriers and shippers improve their business and the environment by helping them access fuel- and emissions-saving technologies, such as engine idle reduction technology, low rolling resistance tires, improved aerodynamics and exhaust after-treatment devices, which can reduce fuel consumption by 10 to 15 percent, and help reduce pollution from carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and particulate matter emissions. SmartWay provides companies with technical assistance, tools for evaluating opportunities, and help locating financing to purchase these technologies.
More than 450 companies have joined the SmartWay partnership. EPA and its transport partners are on track to save over $1.2 billion on fuel costs and remove more than 4 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions from the air by 2007. By 2012, the partnership will cut carbon dioxide emissions by 33 to 66 million metric tons per year, and nitrogen oxide emissions by up to 200,000 tons per year. This is equivalent to removing up to 12 million cars off the road each year or the equivalent of saving up to 150 million barrels of oil per year.