DALTON—Shaw Transport, Shaw Industries’ trucking fleet, has been accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s SmartWay Transport Partner program. The SmartWay program is a voluntary collaboration between the EPA and freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

The goal of the program is to reduce between 33 million to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions per year by the year 2012. It is expected that the initiative will also result in fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil annually. Milliken & Co. has also joined the program.

SmartWay Transport Partners commit to measure and improve the efficiency of their freight operations, using EPA-developed tools that quantify the benefits of a number of fuel-saving strategies. Among the measures to be implemented is reducing unnecessary idling to improve air quality and save fuel. Idle-reduction options will be developed along major transportation corridors, such as truck stops, travel centers, distribution hubs, and even along the side of the road.

Initiated in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partnership brings together freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads and logistics companies to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies. The Partnership currently has more than 425 members.

Shaw’s participation in the program will include all of Shaw’s Transport’s services, including OTR (over the road), RDC (regional distribution centers), and IPT (inter-plant transfer). One of the largest private trucking fleets in the country, Shaw Transport vehicles log over 72 million miles a year. Consistent with Shaw’s corporate objectives of environmental excellence, Shaw Transport has measurement systems in place to track its progress in People Net and Six Sigma projects. Shaw will use an EPA measurement system called FLEET (Fleet Logistics Energy and Environmental Tracking) to document its plans and to provide the federal agency with an annual report of progress in meeting objectives.

Recently, the EPA informed Shaw Transport that it had met the initial criteria for being able to use the SmartWay Transport Partnership logo. “I’m pleased to welcome both Shaw Transport and Milliken & Co. to the SmartWay Transport Partnership,” said Margo Oge, director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA. “They join the Partnership in a commitment to increase fuel efficiency and make freight-related environmental improvements.”

“Shaw’s efforts will contribute to the EPA SmartWay goal of reducing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide,” said Mitch Land, Shaw Transport group director. “Our commitment to reducing these emissions represents a substantial contribution to freight-based environmental performance and fuel efficiency.”

Milliken’s concern for reducing emissions and improving fuel economies is not new. In fact, one of the company’s small hydroelectric plants was operational in 1912. Backed by third party energy audits, Milliken has tracked energy and fuel use since 1971. It has reduced energy use as much as 30% annually for the past 15 years.

“We address energy conservation and air quality throughout the company’s operations,” said David Caples, president, Milliken floor covering division. “We invest in emission reduction to protect the air outdoors and offer innovations like TractionBack adhesive-free installation to improve the quality of indoor air.” Sustainable goals include safety as well as energy efficiency.

The company’s accident rate per million miles is 88% below the national average. Milliken’s private truck fleet has consistently won national and state recognition for an unparalleled safety record with a professional fleet of drivers averaging 5.5 million miles per year. The National Safety Council has recognized Milliken Transportation for the Best Known Record in Industrial Safety. The truck fleet repeatedly wins consecutive first place saftey honors.