Lowe's was one of 11 companies to receive this award, representing the best environmental performers of SmartWay's nearly 3,000 partners. With today's recognition for its efforts to reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency across the freight industry, Lowe's became the only retail shipper partner ever to receive six SmartWay awards.
"Earning this distinction from the EPA and celebrating the work of all the SmartWay partners is a great reminder that Lowe's is a part of something bigger," said Rick Gabrielson, Lowe's vice president of transportation. "It strengthens our commitment to continue to promote responsible transportation practices that benefit the freight industry, all of our communities and, ultimately, our customers."
For more than a decade, Lowe's has worked with carriers and environmental partners to champion strategies to reduce fuel costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Lowe's helped launch the SmartWay program aimed at improving emissions of drayage trucks that deliver freight in and around U.S. ports. Today, two-thirds of Lowe's import containers are transported by trucks that are 2007 models or newer.
To reduce operational costs and emissions, Lowe's continues to expand the use of trucks powered by natural gas, a cleaner and more economical alternative to diesel fuel. Natural gas trucks are now active at Lowe's regional distributions centers in seven states, including a fully dedicated fleet that ships products out of Lowe's distribution center in Mount Vernon, Texas. By the end of 2014, the company expects to service more than 20 percent of Lowe's stores with natural gas trucks.
All domestic shipments routed by Lowe's are transported by SmartWay carriers. Since 2005, the EPA program has helped Lowe's carriers generate fuel savings of more than 180 million gallons and carbon-dioxide savings of more than 2 million tons, the equivalent of removing more than 420,000 cars from America's roads.
"On the occasion of our 10-year anniversary, EPA applauds this year's SmartWay Excellence Award recipients. They have demonstrated true leadership in improving operational efficiency and reducing climate-altering carbon pollution. These firms are leading their business community to a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable future for goods movement," said Chris Grundler, director, EPA's Office of Transportation & Air Quality. "Their freight efficiency efforts foster a more sustainable economy and strengthen energy security, while generating environmental results."
Find out more about Lowe's EPA partnerships and other environmental initiatives at Lowes.com/Social Responsibility.
About Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. (NYSE: LOW) is a FORTUNE® 100 home improvement company serving approximately 15 million customers a week in the United States, Canada and Mexico. With fiscal year 2013 sales of $53.4 billion, Lowe's has more than 1,835 home improvement and hardware stores and 260,000 employees. Founded in 1946 and based in Mooresville, N.C., Lowe's supports the communities it serves through programs that focus on K-12 public education and community improvement projects. For more information, visit Lowes.com.
About SmartWay
EPA's SmartWay Transport Partnership is celebrating 10 years as a market-driven initiative that empowers businesses to move goods in the cleanest, most energy-efficient way possible, while protecting public health and reducing the impacts of climate change. Demonstration of a commitment to corporate sustainability and social responsibility through SmartWay provides for a more competitive and environmentally friendly business environment. Since 2004, SmartWay Partners have saved 120.7 million barrels of oil and $16.8 billion in fuel costs. SmartWay's clean air achievements (51.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, 738,000 tons of nitrogen oxides and 37,000 tons of particulate matter emissions avoided) help to protect the well-being of citizens.
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SOURCE Lowe's Companies, Inc.
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