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Wal-Mart Encourages Freight Industry to Reduce Air Pollution

Release Date: 04/28/2006
Contact Information: Cynthia Fanning at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

(Dallas, Texas -- April 28, 2006) Wal-Mart announced today that it is encouraging truck and rail carriers to reduce air emissions and overall fuel consumption by participating in both the SmartWay Transport Partnership and the Blue Skyways Collaborative, voluntary programs sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

"You know your program is a good idea when the world's largest retailer signs up and wants its suppliers to participate," EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. "The bottom line is that voluntary programs like SmartWay and Blue Skyways are saving money and protecting the environment at the same time."

Carriers can sign up for the SmartWay and Blue Skyways programs if they agree to integrate diesel emission reduction measures into their freight operations.

The SmartWay program increases the energy efficiency and energy security of our country, while significantly reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, by helping trucking companies become more fuel efficient and improve their environmental performance. Wal-Mart is asking all its carriers to join the Partnership, and once in, strive to reach truly outstanding environmental performance. Wal-Mart joined the SmartWay program in 2004.

Like the SmartWay program, Blue Skyways focuses on transportation efficiency, but includes government sectors and extends to other energy areas. Blue Skyways is a tri-national coalition of industry and federal, state and local governments committed to improving the overall air quality of life of North America's heartland. Through individual and community-based voluntary efforts, the collaborative promotes projects improving air quality across a nine-state region spanning from Canada to Mexico.

For more information about SmartWay, visit https://www.epa.gov/smartway/index.htm. For more information about Blue Skyways, visit https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/blue_skies_collaborative.htm or the Central States Air Resource Agencies at http://www.censara.org/presentations.asp.