November 20, 2009

Wilmington, CA - Pacific Harbor Line received the 31st annual “Salute to Industry” award from the Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce at a special dinner November 19 at the Westin Long Beach Hotel. BNSF Railway and Union Pacific received similar awards from HAIC.

Pacific Harbor Line was recognized for taking extraordinary steps to slash air pollution from its business operations.

PHL became the most environmentally friendly railroad in America in 2008 when it replaced and expanded its locomotive fleet with cleaner equipment, taking delivery of 22 clean-diesel locomotives. This switch lowered particulate emissions by 70 percent, cut nitrogen oxide emissions by 46 percent and reduced fuel use by an estimated 7 to 9 percent. PHL had financial help with the $30 million fleet replacement from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Harbor Association of Industry and Commerce was formed in 1975 to serve as a united voice on such issues as energy, environmental and land-use regulations affecting businesses in the South Bay and Harbor areas of Southern California.