(The following story by Scott Deveau appeared on the National Post website on May 7.)
OTTAWA — Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. says it will test two low-emission locomotives in southern Ontario over the next two years after receiving up to $500,000 in federal funds targeted at reducing harmful emissions from the freight transport industry.
The so-called “GenSet” locomotives, built by National Railway Equipment Co., offer the same horsepower as a regular engine but with up to 50% fuel savings and up to an 80% reduction in harmful emissions.
The federal funds were part of Transport Canada’s ecoFREIGHT program announced Tuesday, which granted $6.1-million to 22 different companies, including Petro-Canada, Air Canada Ground Handling Services, and the Canadian Trucking Alliance.
“Moving goods long haul by rail is already much more fuel efficient and safer than other modes of transportation,” said Kathryn McQuade, CP chief operating officer, in a statement. “We are always looking for innovations that reduce our environmental footprint and make rail an even cleaner mode of transportation.”
Funding for the ecoFREIGHT program is being allocated for initiatives to reduce emissions from freight transport by air, truck, rail and water.