Norfolk Southern Corporation announced last week that it was committed to helping the community of East Palestine as part of its annual ESG report.
The report, “Forging a Better Tomorrow,” highlights the company’s long-term strategy to balance service, productivity and growth with initiatives to enhance rail safety and continue clean-up efforts in East Palestine, Ohio after a train derailment in that town last year.
“We will continue to fulfill our promises to East Palestine and the surrounding areas,” said Norfolk Southern President and CEO Alan H. Shaw. “We believe in doing what’s right by our people, our customers, and the communities we serve, which is why we will always strive to enhance our safety culture, invest in our people, and build upon our long-standing sustainability initiatives.”
The company said it has made progress toward its sustainability goals including a 6 percent reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity; a 25 percent increase in fuel efficiency through locomotive modernization; a 22 percent reduction in overall water usage; and the protection of more than 1,100 acres of ecologically significant land in South Carolina.
“We’ve made tremendous achievements in decarbonizing supply chains and reinforcing an inclusive workplace culture built around safety, and our work and commitment to these goals is unwavering,” Norfolk Southern Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin said. “None of this would be possible without our incredible team of people who are committed to building a better planet and more resilient communities for generations to come.”