Shaw Transport Becomes Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay Partner

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Our story is the story of our customers - and of our commitment to providing them with the products they need: products that are innovative, sustainable, have value and are competitively priced. That was our commitment 63 years ago, when we began as Star Dye Company, a small business in Dalton, Georgia that dyed tufted scatter rugs. And it's still our commitment today.

Shaw Transport Becomes Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay^SM Partner
08.31.2006

Dalton, GA - Shaw Transport, Inc. a division of Shaw Industries and one of the largest private trucking fleets in the country, announced today it has been accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SmartWay^SM Transport Partner Program, a voluntary collaboration between the EPA and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Initiated in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partner Program brings more than 425 members together from industries such as freight shipping, trucking, railroads and logistics to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in environmental improvements such as emissions reductions as well as cost savings to the companies.

Shaw Transport's participation in the SmartWay Transport Partner Program is consistent with Shaw Industries' corporate objective of "environmental excellence." Logging more than 72-million miles annually, Shaw Transport will use the EPA's Fleet Logistics Energy and Environmental Tracking system (FLEET) to document planning and provide the EPA with an annual report of progress among all of Shaw Transport's services, including over the road (OTR), regional distribution centers (RDC) and inter-plant transfer (IPT).

"Shaw Transport has made significant accomplishments in a number of environmental initiatives recently," said Mitch Land, Shaw Transport group director. "Being a part of the SmartWay Transport Partner Program has shown that we are making a significant contribution to reducing emissions like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide."

Among the initiatives Land and his group have implemented include:

Upgraded fleet with "greener" engines designed to emit less carbon and nitrogen oxides.
Began using more single wide-base tires and wheels on tanker vehicles that are lighter than two standard tires and wheels resulting in fuel savings and added stability.

2- Shaw Transport/Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay^SM Partner Program

Implementation of a strict idling policy with an automatic shut-off after five minutes.
Trials of Alternative Power Units (APUs), a combination of a small heater, compressor for air conditioning, and an alternator to provide heat, air conditioning, power for electrical devices and engine heat.
Study of possible use of synthetic lubricants and more external aerodynamics to increase engine efficiency and lower emissions.

SmartWay Transport Partner Program hopes to reduce between 33-66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions annually by the year 2012. What's more, the SmartWay Transport Partner Program will also result in annual fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of oil. Among the measures to achieve these goals is to reduce unnecessary idling, improving air quality and fuel consumption. Idle-reduction options are being developed along major transportation corridors in truck stops, travel centers and distribution hubs.

"I am pleased to welcome Shaw Transport to the SmartWay Transport Partner Program," said Margo T. 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."

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