The Truckload Carriers Assn. (TCA) participated in a teleconference earlier this month detailing the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) new SmartWay Transport Partnership Program.

EPA conducted the teleconference call in conjunction with the ATA. The purpose of the call was to the give the participants, comprised primarily of state and national trucking association representatives, an introduction and brief overview of this new industry/federal government voluntary program aimed at reducing fuel consumption, emissions of smog-forming pollutants, and greenhouse gases from freight carriers.
Between 35 and 40 fleets have already signed on to the program as "charter partners," including FedEx, Swift, Yellow Roadway Corp., UPS and Schneider National.
These companies have been working closely with EPA over the last two years to develop this public image/energy conservation/pollution reduction program. Ultimately, these "partners" will be entitled to use a special trademark seal on shipping containers, web sites, literature and letterhead, and will be recognized by both EPA and shippers as "environmentally friendly."
A formal roll-out event for the SmartWay Program is scheduled on Feb. 9 in Washington, D.C. in conjunction with TCA’s executive committee and officer’s meetings, along with ATA's Winter Leadership Meeting. EPA Administrator Michael Leavitt is scheduled to attend this event.
To obtain a more detailed summary of the SmartWay program, contact Rich Clemente at (703) 838-8847, or email rclemente@truckload.org.
EPA's contact person is Matthew Payne, (734) 214-4576, or email: payne.matthew@epa.gov.