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CSX Corporation
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- Brochure on EMS: Your Business Advantage (PDF) (8 pp, 446K, About PDF)
- EMS Training Modules & Guides
- Case Studies
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See Also
- National Directory of EMS Technical Assistance Providers
- National Environmental Performance Track
This program recognizes top environmental performers that have high quality EMSs. - FedCenter
CSX Corporation - CSX Transportation in Jacksonville, Florida became a partner of the Responsible Care Program in 1997 and subsequently developed an EMS. Since implementing the EMS, CSX has been recognized for its environmental efforts with awards from EPA and the Association of American railroads.
Introduction
Planning and Implementation
Benefits
Lessons Learned
Conclusions
Introduction
Formed in 1980, CSX Corporation is the parent company of a number of subsidiaries that provide freight transportation services across America and around the world. CSX Transportation operates the largest rail network in the eastern United States offering freight transportation over more than 23,000 route miles in 23 states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces. More than 41,000 people are employed by CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries. The automobile, metals, agricultural, chemical, forest, and waste industries as well as the government all use CSXT as part of operations. CSXT serves a multitude of waste treatment and disposal facilities throughout the eastern United States, including landfills, incinerators, hazardous and non-hazardous treatment facilities, wastewater treatment plants, cement kilns, and deep well sites. Waste streams generated by the rail industry include air emissions (nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide), steel, batteries, used oil, crossties, paper and aluminum, and accidental releases.
Planning and Implementation
As a global transportation leader, CSX committed itself to protecting the environment and ensuring the safety and health of its employees and the public. In 1997, CSX became a partner in the Responsible Care Program. To support this commitment, the environmental professionals at CSX developed a comprehensive EMS. The EMS provides guidance for all CSX employees and facilitates environmental compliance and continual improvement of environmental performance. The EMS outlines the environmental and hazardous material policies, practices and procedures. Key components of the EMS also include planning and management review, implementation and operation, and checking and corrective action. Annual goals and objectives are set and a clearly defined structure to implement these goals is put in place for the continual improvement of the system. The performance of this system is also regularly evaluated to ensure that the goals and objectives are met. Each year, an annual compliance certification is conducted that includes environmental and operational criteria.
Benefits
As a result of efforts to minimize waste and to recycle through their EMS, CSXT reclaims about 611,000 pounds of signal and other rechargeable batteries each year and reconditions approximately 75 percent of replaced locomotive engine batteries. The railroad recycles approximately 2.1 million gallons of oil each year from a variety of sources including locomotive and track equipment crankcases. Approximately 2.12 million used cross ties are converted into a fiber fuel source or reused as landscaping timbers. Old locomotives, rail cars, rails, and other equipment are also recycled. At CSXT headquarters, more than 400 tons of office paper and aluminum are recycled each year. Along with these efforts, CSX continues to invest in their facilities and newer, more fuel-efficient equipment. Examples of recent initiatives include:
- Wastewater treatment facility upgrades
- Aboveground storage tank upgrades
- Replacing underground fuel-delivery pipelines with aboveground lines
- Purchase of more efficient locomotives
- Adding Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) to locomotives to dramatically reduce fuel usage and associated air emissions during idling.
A high importance has been placed on environmental training and awareness through the EMS. CSX has developed an Environmental Certification Program, which is administered to employees in the mechanical operations and engineering departments. Instruction provided to other railroad employees contains environmental training specific to their job functions. For the Hazardous Materials System Group, employees, customers, and the public are trained in emergency response and community and customer outreach programs focusing on prevention and response to incidents have been implemented. These programs are frequently reviewed and updated to address regulations and procedures.
Lessons Learned
CSX has continued to have an excellent record for the safe handling of hazardous materials. In 2001, CSX transported approximately 445,000 carloads of hazardous materials, only 17, of which, spilled any contents due to derailment. The company recognizes and promotes environmental excellence from its employees by administering an award program called the Green Spike Award. Nominees are selected for this award based on their personal environmental achievements. CSX has had two employees receive the Association of American Railroads (AAR) John H. Chafee Environmental Award for outstanding environmental achievement. An employee from CSX has been nominated for this award every year since its inception in 1996. EPA's Office of Air and Radiation chose CSX as the 2001 recipient of the Clean Air Excellence Award for its design, patent, and installation of the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) in railroad locomotives. During idling, the APU reduces the following emissions:
- Nitrogen oxides by 91 percent
- Hydrocarbons by 94 percent
- Carbon monoxide by 96 percent
- Particulate matter by 84 percent
Conclusion
CSX continues to set goals for ongoing improvement through the EMS. Open and candid communication with employees, customers, and the public, regarding the company's environmental program and any hazard that might arise from its operations is encouraged. The importance of conserving landfill space and raw materials through reducing, reusing, and recycling materials has been recognized through the EMS and continues to be a priority as evidenced by the awards given to the company and its employees.
NOTE: The preceding case study was compiled from the following source as of May 30, 2003:
CSX Corporation.