Earth day is April 22At Amtrak Cascades, Earth Day isn’t just one day

At Amtrak Cascades, Earth Day isn’t just one day

Earth Day has been recognized in the U.S. since 1970. The day spurred action in Washington D.C. to create the Environmental Protection Agency and enact laws aimed at protecting the environment.

Starting in 2017, Amtrak Cascades has been operating eight of the most environmentally friendly locomotives in the nation. They meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s strictest Tier IV emission standards and reduce emissions by an estimated 86% compared to older locomotives they replaced. Amtrak Cascades is taking delivery on two more of these locomotives along with the new trainsets, providing even more environmental savings and fuel efficiency.

Trains are one of the most sustainable ways to travel, and the new trains can accommodate more passengers than ever before. As a result, we can transport more than 300 passengers on every train trip and reduce the number of vehicles on our highways. The more passengers on trains, the smaller the environmental footprint related to transportation. The new trains will improve the passenger experience while also ensuring our route continues to be the most sustainable way to travel to one of our 18 destinations from Eugene to Portland, to Seattle, and ending in Vancouver, Canada.

Amtrak Cascades celebrates Earth Day by promoting train travel as a sustainable alternative to driving or flying, noting it produces up to 83% fewer emissions than cars. Throughout April, they often highlight employee volunteer efforts to clean up communities, introduce eco-friendly initiatives like new, cleaner locomotives, and provide carbon savings data on tickets.

Key Sustainability and Earth Day Initiatives:

• Reduced Emissions: Amtrak Cascades is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with a goal to double their 20% reduction achieved since 2010 by 2030.
• Eco-Friendly Travel: Trains are 46% more energy-efficient than driving and 34% more than flying.
• Events & Outreach: Facebook posts will highlight "Earth Month" activities, including tree planting and community cleanup events under the #AmtrakGivesBack campaign.