(CSX Transportation issued the following news release on April 22.)
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — CSX Transportation employee Russell V. Glidden became the company’s fourth winner of railroading’s highest environmental honor today — the John H. Chafee Environmental Award, presented by the American Association of Railroads (AAR). Glidden was honored for his management of a wastewater treatment facility located within the company’s Avon, Ind., yard — work that turned a storm water pond into a wildlife sanctuary.
“On his own initiative and at his own expense, Russ secured his wastewater treatment licensing,” said Edward R. Hamberger, president and CEO of the AAR. “He then used his expertise to improve the facility’s operation during a system upgrade. In fact, the eight million gallon storm water pond he manages has become so successful under his supervision that it has developed into a wildlife haven.”
The AAR’s Chafee Award is named for U.S. Senator Lincoln Chafee’s (R-RI) late father, who as a leading environmentalist understood and promoted the environmental advantages of rail transportation. The award, given each year by the AAR, recognizes an individual railroad employee who has demonstrated outstanding environmental performance in the area of environmental awareness and responsibility.
Glidden, a machinist, serves as the chief operator of the wastewater treatment facility located within the company’s Avon Yard, just outside of Indianapolis.
“Russ represents the best of our employees, and the environmental consciousness that CSXT strives to achieve,” said Ellen Fitzsimmons, CSX Corporation senior vice president for law and public affairs. “His leadership in managing our wastewater treatment system at Avon Yard is exemplary and a model for our system.”
Glidden actively participates in supporting Avon’s compliance with environmental regulations, policies and procedures. He conducts training for environmental certification for mechanical and engineering employees, and presents homeland security training in the area of environmental hazardous materials safety. His peers have recognized his dedication and hard work in the past, naming Glidden both “Employee of the Month” and “Employee of the Year.”
CSXT’s three other award winners include:
— Robert D. Toms (2002), mechanical superintendent with CSXT at Huntington, W.Va., recognized while working at Avon Yard for his dedication to the CSXT Hazmat Sentinel program and environmental emergency training for local first-response teams;
— Ted Stewart (2001), mechanical systems engineer, honored for his co-design of the nationally acclaimed Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) and for promoting the fuel-saving device as a model for the railroad industry; and,
— Mike Bethge (1999), locomotive engineer, recognized for hazardous materials planning and response and instrumental involvement in promoting environmental compliance.
CSX employees also were nominated for the award from 1995 through 1998, and in 2001.
The Chafee Award highlights the environmental benefits of rail transportation, which provides an environmentally safe alternative to moving freight. By rail, a gallon of fuel moves nine times more freight than by truck, helping to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases and preserving resources for the future. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that locomotives are about three times cleaner than trucks.
CSX Corporation, based in Jacksonville, Fla., owns the largest rail network in the eastern United States. CSX Transportation Inc. and its 34,000 employees provide rail transportation services over a 23,000 route-mile network in 23 states, the District of Columbia and two Canadian provinces. CSX Corporation also provides intermodal and global container terminal operations through other subsidiaries.