Green Travel and Rail: Reducing Carbon Dioxide Footprints

2  Eco-conscious travel means being aware of the environment, and impact on the environment, when you travel.  Eco-Tourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.  Responsible Travel means understanding, respecting, and supporting the cultures and people in the area you are visiting.  Sustainable Travel is defined as “a level of tourism activity that can be maintained over the long term because it results in a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it takes place.” Green Travel: Definitions

3  As policymakers at state and federal levels address the issue of global climate change, there is a heightened effort to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions that have been linked to global warming.  Some policymakers are calling for as much as an overall 80% reduction in CO 2 emissions by  Approximately 1/3 of greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Highway travel generates 75% of carbon emissions and consumes 75% of total sector energy use.  Energy efficiency is a low cost alternative to developing low-carbon and zero-carbon alternative fuels and can be a first step in the climate challenge of a carbon-constrained world. Global Climate Change and the Transportation Sector

4  Amtrak is the nation’s principal intercity rail passenger carrier  Operates 21,000 route-miles of service in 46 states  Carried over 28 million riders in FY08  Auto-Train service between Virginia and Florida took 105,439 cars in 2008 from the 1-95 corridor (train carries cars and passengers)  Development strategy includes partnerships with states to develop fast, frequent service over ‘corridors’ of less than 500 miles and high speed rail corridors Amtrak’s place in domestic transportation

5 Overview: Amtrak and the Environment  Energy  Amtrak’s focus is on development of fast, frequent and energy- efficient “corridor service” over shorter routes (< 500 miles)  Amtrak is experiencing a traffic boom – and it has moved more passengers while cutting energy use  Emissions  The transportation industry emits almost a third of America’s carbon output  Passenger railroads (intercity and commuter) are an efficient form of transportation  Amtrak was a charter member of the Chicago Climate Exchange. Amtrak agreed to cut its diesel emissions by 6% from 2003 to 2010 “Locomotives” includes both freight and passenger emissions Source: EPA Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gasses and Sinks,

6 Source: U.S. DOE, “Transportation Energy Data Book, Edition 27 – 2008” Comparative Energy Intensities

7 Rail is 18% more efficient than domestic airline travel Rail is 24% more efficient than automobile travel All data as of 2006; U.S. DOE, “Transportation Energy Data Book,” 27 th Edition All measures are in British Thermal Units of energy per passenger mile. What does it take to move one person, one mile?

8 In July 2003, Amtrak ended its contract with the MBTA Commuter services in Massachusetts, which accounted for approximately 11 million gallons of diesel fuel per year. Amtrak has reduced diesel fuel use

9  Anti-idling practices  Automatic Start/Stop installation  Aerodynamic improvements of rolling stock  Consist/Locomotive management  Locomotive upgrades and improved maintenance  Locomotive Engineer Training Diesel Fuel Reduction Methods

10 Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Operates the only “cap and trade” system in North America Members voluntarily agree to reduce their GHG emissions by 6 percent from from their baseline Third party independent verification by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA, formerly NASD) Membership commitment is voluntary but legally binding

11 CCX Members Include: Amtrak Ford Motor Company DuPont American Electric Power Motorola International Paper City of Chicago State of New Mexico Michigan State University Safeway (over 100 member organizations)

12 Amtrak reductions under Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX) Fiscal YearPercentage of Baseline Reduction 20031% 20042% 20053% 20064% 20074½ % % 20095½ % 20106% PHASE I PHASE II Largest percentage reduction of any voluntary commitment in the United States (Source: CCX)

13 Amtrak’s voluntary commitment to emissions reduction Amtrak is committed to a phased reduction in its diesel emissions levels The baseline for the reduction is an average of emissions levels Fiscal YearEmissions Commitment in Metric Tons of CO ,700 (actual: 731,400) ,400 (actual: 723,600) ,4000 (actual: 668,157) ,400 (actual: 640,300)

14 Electric Locomotives Higher BTU use –Some power loss in transmission lines Higher Speeds Regenerative Braking Carbon Emissions dependent on type of power purchased –Electric generated by coal yields higher carbon emissions –Nuclear, Wind and Hydro-electric have limited carbon emissions –Emissions of other contaminants likely lower due to “stack controls” on power plants

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16 Diesel Locomotives Engine drives an electric generator that runs electric motor High Horsepower, over 4000 hp –12 to 16 cylinder engines Manufactured by General Electric and EMD GE Hybrid will use regenerative braking to recharge batteries that provide additional power when needed EMD F-59 have small HEP engines to provide power to cars to limit fuel consumption. Installing 480v plug ins to provide HEP for service at layover stations

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18 Diesel Fuel High sulfur diesel has been eliminated Low Sulfur Diesel is used in most locations Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD) is being phased in - California and other locations. –Lubricity concerns with ULSD Amtrak will be conducting a bio-diesel trial on the Heartland Flyer route –Manufacturer warranty concerns –temperature concerns

19 Switchers Low Horsepower, approximately 2000hp Regular idle New Switcher Technology includes: –Hybrid – uses generator to charge onboard batteries Unsuccessful at Amtrak –GenSet – uses 2-3 EPA Tier 4 diesel truck engines Number of engines based on the amount of power needed for Yard work Successful in freight operations

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21 Carbon Calculators Many different Carbon Calculators are available –Use varied assumptions Typical Basis for Carbon Calculators –Gasoline – 2,421 grams of carbon per gallon –Diesel – 2,778 grams of carbon per gallon –99% oxidation rate is typically used Carbon Dioxide Emissions –Gasoline – 19.4 pounds per gallon –Diesel – 22.2 pounds per gallon

22 Carbon offsets Simple definition: Reducing carbon dioxide emissions in one area to compensate for emissions at another area. Examples  Tree planting (long term growth)  Clean energy development  Efficiency Improvements  Purchasing credits Make sure your offset provider uses only certified projects No standard process for certifying offset projects

23 Amtrak’s Carbon Offset Program  Program operated by Carbonfund  Offsets are available to passengers (voluntary) for:  2500 miles (992 pounds of CO2) of travel at $4.50  5500 miles (2182 pounds of CO2) of travel at $10.00  Program started in April 2008  Through May 2009, over 8,000,000 miles of offsets have been purchased by Amtrak passengers

24 Saco Island, Maine Station

25 Nuclear Powered Train

26 Zero emissions rail travel