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US EPA & NRCan Press Event for Official Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and Licensing Agreement
Fact Sheet: (EPA420-F-05-041, September 2005) (Also
available as a PDF, 2 pages, 22K)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) Mutual Goals
EPA’s SmartWay Transport® Partnership and NRCan’s FleetSmart Program are voluntary programs whose aims are to save fuel and achieve reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. The SmartWay Transport Partnership and FleetSmart take complementary approaches to achieve these aims. SmartWay is an environmental performance-based partnership that emphasizes accelerated deployment of innovative technology by rail and heavy-duty fleets; FleetSmart is an educational and training-based program that focuses on fuel efficient driver behavior. Blending these two approaches creates a comprehensive partnership for U.S. and Canadian transportation.
EPA and NRCan crafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to cooperate and share information in research, development, and projects to save fuel and reduce emissions, maintain energy security, and improve air quality and public health. The freight industry supports this joint effort which presents a unified program for the United States and Canada.
Projects planned under the MOU include:
- Truck idling reduction projects at border crossings
- Advancement in clean technologies through improved harmonization of deployment efforts
- Truck driver training on fuel efficient driving techniques
- Industry awareness campaigns (e.g. “quiet zone” idle-free campaigns at truck stops)
EPA’s SmartWay Transport Partnership Facts
- EPA and industry, including the fifteen SmartWay Transport Charter Partners, launched in February 2004.
- The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a voluntary public-private initiative designed to improve the environmental performance of the freight transportation system in the United States through cost-effective, market-based approaches.
- Ground freight is an integral part of the U.S. economy. According to government and industry statistics, 85 percent of the total value of U.S. cargo is trucked, accounting for 66 percent of all freight by weight. Trucking-related occupations employ about 10 million people. Railroads represent four percent of the total value of all freight by weight, carrying another 16 percent of the nation’s freight by weight. U.S. ground freight contributes approximately 20 percent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from transportation. Ground freight accounts for 40 percent of the nitrogen oxides emissions (NOx) and 31 percent of the particulate matter (PM) emissions from transportation sources.
- Goals: Annual reductions, by 2012, of 33 to 66 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and up to 200,000 tons of NOx emissions. The fuel savings are the equivalent of taking 12 million cars off the road and saving up to 150 million barrels of fuel. Reducing this amount of fuel would save transportation companies at least $10 billion annually.
- There are over 200 Partners voluntarily committed to improving their environmental footprint over a period of three years. SmartWay Transport Partners include carriers, shippers, shipper-carriers, affiliates and logistics companies.
- Environmental performance is measured by the FLEET Performance Model (Fleet Logistics Environmental and Energy Tracking Model). The FLEET Performance Model calculates a SmartWay Partners’ efficiency and allows companies to choose among cost-effective strategies.
- Benefits: Partners that demonstrate superior environmental performance will be able to publicize their status as SmartWay Transport Partners using the official SmartWay Transport logo.
- EPA provides technical assistance to Partners to achieve their goals.
NRCan’s FleetSmart Program Facts
- FleetSmart was launched in 1999 from a small information initiative, Pro-Trucker.
- FleetSmart is a program to help commercial and municipal fleets reduce fuel consumption and engine emissions through improved energy efficient practices. FleetSmart has demonstrated that the driver has a significant effect on fuel economy and reports up to 35% difference between the ‘best’ and ‘poorest’ driver.
- Canada’s transportation sector is responsible for approximately 26 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.
- Goals: To help fleets save money, reduce fuel use, reduce air pollution, reduce greenhouse gases, and support government policy initiatives in emission reduction.
- Benefits: FleetSmart members save fuel; retain drivers; reduce wear and tear on equipment; save money for corporate reinvestment in growth; and improve corporate environmental image.
- FleetSmart’s target markets include: Highway trucking, forestry trucking, highway coach, transit bus, school bus, municipality and utility fleets, and light-duty fleets (passenger cars, mini-vans, pick-ups, vans, SUVs, and urban trucking).
- Environmental performance is improved through:
- Awareness and training
- Information on fuel efficiency technologies
- Idle-Free Quiet Zone Campaign at truck stops
- Partial rebates for proven idle reduction technology - over 8,000 fuel-fired heaters and auxiliary power units have been purchased to date.
- Fuel Management 101 Workshops: NRCan provides training and education for professional drivers. Over 436 professional truck-driving schools and companies are teaching the SmartDriver for Heavy Vehicles. NRCan publishes information, reports, and conducts industry outreach.
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