For the fourth time this decade, Penske Logistics has been honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its sustainability efforts, collecting a 2019 SmartWay Excellence Award in the Truck Carrier category. Penske Logistics also attained SmartWay awards in 2018, 2017 and 2013.
Penske was one of 55 truck and multimodal carriers to receive this distinction, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay's 3,700 partners. The awards were handed out at the 2019 American Trucking Association's Management Conference and Exhibition in San Diego.
Sarah Dunham, EPA's director of the office of transportation and air quality: “These awardees are the top two percent of environmental performers among all of our SmartWay Partners. They are redefining best practices for freight transport by reducing fuel costs and improving the public health of the communities they serve."
EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing air pollution.
“We sincerely appreciate this recognition from the EPA," said Marc Althen, president of Penske Logistics. “We have been participating in the SmartWay Transport Partnership for more than a decade. We continue to invest in the latest technology and processes to maximize the efficiency of our dedicated fleet."
Drew Cullen, Penske senior vice president of fuels and facility services: “On a daily basis, we continue to optimize customer shipments in a variety of manners, and operate and maintain cutting-edge trucks. We are constantly evaluating and implementing the newest and best technology to drive sustainability in our fleet and logistics operations."
Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have avoided emitting more than 134 million tons of air pollutants (NOx, PM, and CO2) contributing to cleaner air and healthier citizens, while saving 280 million barrels of oil and $37 billion in fuel costs – equivalent to eliminating the annual energy use of over 18 million homes.
Photo caption: In the image above, Mike Costanza (left), Penske director of environmental services, accepts the 2019 U.S. EPA SmartWay Excellence Award from Cheryl Bynum, SmartWay director.
By "Move Ahead" Staff
Penske Logistics is a recipient of the 2018 Freight Carrier Excellence Award from the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) SmartWay program. SmartWay Director Cheryl Bynum (left) is posing with Penske's Senior Manager of Fuel Services Virind Gujral.
For the last three years, Penske has captured the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award in the United States.
These are a few of the ways that Penske promoted the SmartWay Transport Partnership:
“We are truly honored to be a repeat winner of the SmartWay Affiliate Challenge Award,” stated Drew Cullen, Penske vice president of fuels and environmental Affairs. “It is in our company DNA to not only be good environmental stewards ourselves, but to also aid our customers in identifying, quantifying and implementing sustainable transportation solutions.”
“I commend Penske for its level of commitment, enthusiasm, and creativity in promoting EPA’s SmartWay program, and sustainable transportation,” said Chris Grundler, director of EPA’s office of transportation and air quality. “Penske’s work in this arena brings us all closer to achieving the shared goals of clean freight and clean air.”
In a matter of months new emissions standards for refrigerated trailers will take effect nationwide, and the industry is preparing for increased costs and changes to their operations.