CSX Transportation (CSXT) is helping focus national attention on the need to address and upgrade America's transportation infrastructure in an environmentally responsible manner so the nation can better compete in the changing global economy, two of its officials told public and private sector representatives attending the Faster Freight-Cleaner Air (FFCA) East Coast conference in New York City this week. CSXT is a platinum sponsor of FFCA, the nation's leading conference on goods movement and air quality.

Lisa Mancini, vice president of strategic infrastructure investments at CSXT, was among a group of panelists discussing growth in goods movement. CSXT is a supporter of the National Gateway (www.nationalgateway.org), a public-private partnership working to create a more efficient rail route linking the Mid-Atlantic and Midwestern markets through the use of double-stack trains.

"Population growth and changes in global supply chains are straining the nation's transportation infrastructure," said Mancini. "In order for our nation to compete on a global level, certain infrastructure upgrades must be made along key corridors to allow goods to be brought to market in a cost-effective, efficient and environmentally-responsible manner."

Carl Gerhardstein, director for CSX Transportation's environmental systems department, also presented at the conference. Gerhardstein spoke on the technology used throughout the railroad to benefit the environment, including GenSet ultra-low emission locomotive technology. GenSet locomotives reduce nitrous oxide and particulate matter emissions by 80 percent and can create carbon dioxide emissions savings of approximately 50 percent.

"CSXT knows that cleaner air benefits everyone, which is why we have invested more than $1 billion to upgrade our fleet with technologies that reduce emissions and fuel consumption," said Gerhardstein. "Since 1980 we have reduced our carbon production by over 80%, and we anticipate an overall reduction of another 10 million gallons of fuel in 2008."

In recent months, CSXT has been involved in several environmental initiatives. In May 2008, CSXT, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), and the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) announced the introduction of two ultra-low emission GenSet locomotives at CSXT's RougemereYard in Dearborn, Michigan. The locomotives were the first low-emission locomotives to be deployed in Michigan, as well as on CSXT's 23-state rail network.

In January 2008, CSXT launched an online Carbon Calculator, giving shippers and others the ability to make the best environmental choice of transportation options. The user-friendly tool quickly calculates the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions savings of specific rail shipments, providing comparative data among transportation choices. The Carbon Calculator can be accessed through the company's web site, www.csx.com.

Faster Freight - Cleaner Air (FFCA) is the nation's leading conference series on goods movement and air quality. To learn more about the conference, visit http://www.ffcaeastcoast.com.