Perdue Farms Incorporated announces its participation the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Perdue is contributing to the Partnership’s goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of its freight operations. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog. By joining SmartWaySM Transport Partnership, Perdue is demonstrating its environmental leadership and corporate responsibility.

“Our partnership with EPA and its SmartWaySM Transport program supports our company’s commitment to a comprehensive approach to environmental stewardship and good corporate citizenship,” said Steve Schwalb, Vice President of Environmental Sustainability for Perdue. “Our respect for the environment extends to every aspect of our company’s operations, from live production to manufacturing and distribution. We are committed to continually developing initiatives that promote environmental responsibility and implementing environmentally friendly technologies throughout our operations.”

As Ray Hall, Director of Perdue Transportation Inc. (PTI), explains, “PTI understands that we may not be the largest consumer of diesel fuel, engine lubricants or tires, but our consumption of these products does effect our environment. Our partnership with SmartwaySM has made us more aware of the impact we can have on reducing emissions and our consumption of natural resources.”

PTI is incorporating a variety of strategies to reduce fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. Some of the PTI strategies include:

• Progressive shifting keeps engine RPM to a minimum by using only enough power to engage the next gear and reduces acceleration time. As Hall explains, drivers shifting quickly in lower gears prevents over-revving, which decreases fuel consumption and increases fuel economy. PTI drivers are also capitalizing on the benefit of coasting to a stop when possible, instead of down shifting. By using the lower RPMs when up-shifting, drivers maximize engine torque, which decreases fuel consumption.
• Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) are being installed in PTI rigs, allowing drivers to run peripheral applications, such as air-conditioning and heaters, without running the engine. APUs run from a separate fuel cell and are significantly more fuel-efficient than idling the engine.
• Engine shutdown devices on all trucks limits idle time to five minutes, thus conserving fuel.
• Moreaerodynamic cab roof fairings that extend from the front windshield to the rear of the cab with enclosed sides reduce wind resistance and help improve fuel mileage.
• The use of low-friction engine and drive-train lubricants, and single axle wide-base truck tires are generating fuel savings. Wide base tires improve truck fuel economy by reducing rolling resistance, and improve stability and safety.

The EPA estimates that by utilizing these and other SmartWaySM fuel saving strategies, the PTI fleet eliminated approximately 12,700 tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2007. That’s the equivalent of taking 2,100 passenger vehicles off the road.

Launched in February 2004, the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of fuel per year. The Partnership brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, logistics companies and trade/professional associations to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies.  The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 partners. For information about the SmartWaySM Transport Partnership visit www.epa.gov/smartway.

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