Renewable diesel helps Amtrak reduce emissions in California
SOURCE: Amtrak
June 18, 2024
BY Erin Voegele
Amtrak released its fiscal year (FY) 2023 Sustainability Report on June 13, reporting that renewable diesel is playing a part in helping the passenger railroad achieve progress towards meeting its goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045.
According to the report, GHGs emitted from burning diesel fuel in its trains make up more than 80% of Amtrak’s Scope 1 emissions and 12% of its Scope 3 emissions. In 2023, Amtrak worked with state partners in California and its locomotive and engine manufacturers to transition state-supported passenger locomotes to renewable diesel. Overall, Amtrak’s trains consumed approximately 1.2 million gallons of renewable diesel last year. The company’s total diesel consumption was at approximately 53.4 million gallons in 2023.
As part of its net-zero program, Amtrak said it is exploring the use of renewable diesel, where available, as an interim step to transitioning away from diesel fuel. That renewable diesel would offset the use of ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) in the company’s diesel-powered locomotives.
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A full copy of the 2023 Sustainability Report is available on Amtrak’s website.
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