Amtrak’s efforts to go green include renewable diesel, sustainability measures for capital projects

According to its recently released 2023 sustainability report, Amtrak has taken a number of steps toward achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.

“Passenger rail is widely recognized as one of the most sustainable modes of transportation, and we are taking steps to make rail even more attractive,” Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner said. “The emissions reductions already met, and climate goals set forth in the annual report underline our commitment to providing customers safe and reliable travel while further reducing our already-low carbon footprint.”

New measures included replacing more than 1 million gallons of fossil fuel with renewable diesel on Amtrak’s Capitol Corridor, Pacific Surfliner, and Amtrak San Joaquins passenger trains in California, which in turn cut greenhouse gas emissions by roughly 63 percent. This was also the debut year for Amtrak’s first electric bus. On top of this, the company announced that it would begin to integrate both climate resilience and sustainability design into its capital projects, keeping its transit offerings ready for changing conditions.

Amtrak plans to roll out its first clean energy generation facility, and to encourage Americans to ditch cars and plane rides to help double its ridership to 66 million by 2040. It intends to use fully carbon-free electricity by 2030.

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