UP wins Texas environmental award

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality presented Union Pacific Railroad with an Environmental Excellence Award for developing some of the most environmentally friendly locomotives, which are now operating in Texas. The TCEQ honored the state's most outstanding pollution prevention projects during a presentation in Austin. Union Pacific's Genset switcher locomotives were recognized in the technical and technology category. Genset locomotives reduce emissions of particulate matter and oxides of nitrogen by 80 to 90 percent compared to older switching locomotives. In addition, Gensets use 37 percent less fuel and have an equal reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Union Pacific operates 98 Gensets in rail yards located in Texas. Instead of operating with one large engine, three 667-horsepower ultra-low emitting engines power the Genset locomotives. Gensets use a single engine for smaller jobs and activate the other two engines only when additional power is needed. "We are honored to accept the Environmental Excellence Award," said Gregory Workman, Union Pacific vice president Operations for the Southern Region. "The Gensets are just one example of how our employees are using innovative technology to help Union Pacific protect the environment in the communities we serve."