Energy Eden

CSX Corporation (CSX), a leading rail-based transportation supplier reports that according to EPA estimates, “for every ton-mile, a typical truck emits roughly three times more nitrogen oxide and particulates than a locomotive. If just 10 of the nation’s freight were shifted to rail, fuel savings would approach one billion gallons annually.” With this knowledge in mind, CSX Corporation launched the National Gateway Project in May 2008, an 842 million public-private infrastructure initiative to create a highly efficient freight transportation link between the Mid-Atlantic ports and the Midwest. CSX reports that when complete, the project will also improve the flow of goods between eastern and western rail networks as well as benefiting the nation as a whole by:

• Avoiding 20 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions;
• Reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil;
• Assisting states in attainment of federal clean air standards;
• Reducing 7,000 tons of nitrogen oxides;
• Reducing 1,000 tons of particulate matter;
• Saving nearly two billion gallons of fuel;
• Improving safety and highway congestion by maximizing the efficiency of freight rail and partnering with trucking companies to reduce truck miles traveled by more than 14.3 billion miles;
• Increasing economic competitiveness by saving 3.5 billion in shipper and logistics costs, significantly increasing freight capacity, reducing transit times by 24 to 48 hours between West Coast ports and major population centers; and tripling the (more…)

There are a number of reasons why saving gas and improving your mileage are beneficial. Gas prices are unstable and constantly rising, much or our oil comes from foreign countries with whom we have rocky relationships, and the pollutants produced when burning petroleum are harmful to the environment. While buying a hybrid or a new electric car is a noble way to reduce your energy use, there are a number of free, easy ways to save.Use your air conditioner as little as possible. Obviously when the thermometer registers 90 degrees, AC is a necessity. But when the weather is nice, roll down the windows and cool down with fresh air. Another way to conserve fuel is by taking it easy on the brakes. This is best practiced in heavy traffic. (more…)

Ever since Henry Ford created the assembly line for mass production of personal automobiles, Americans have had a love affair with cars. For most 16-year-olds, it is a rite of passage to get your very own car to drive anywhere you want to go. In the last few decades, starting with the oil crisis of the ’70s, we’ve come to understand that this frivolous driving and use of oil is not a sustainable habit long term. Rising oil prices, unstable foreign oil sources, and the damage being done to the environment by this excessive use of fossil fuels has forced us to rethink our methods of transportation.According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, in 2007, transportation accounted for 68.9 of all petroleum uses in the United States. Passenger cars make up 34 of all transportation petroleum uses. In 2006, passenger cars travelled 4,684 million miles, compared to the 599 million miles traveled by rail. (more…)