Union Pacific Employee Receives Industry’s Top Environmental Award

Omaha, Neb.– Debra Schafer, general director maintenance of way – environmental for Union Pacific in Omaha, today was awarded the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. The award is named after the late Senator from Rhode Island, a strong environmentalist who understood and promoted the environmental advantages of rail transportation.

Schafer was primarily recognized for developing innovative environmental management tools, for creating and implementing the air emissions compliance audit program and leading Union Pacific’s involvement in a federal Endangered Species Act planning permitting process.

“The Chafee Award is the highest award in the rail industry to recognize individuals for their awareness and demonstration of environmental stewardship,” said Jim Young, chairman and CEO, Union Pacific. “With the help of Schafer and other employees, we will continue to create and implement world-class energy conservation techniques.”

Pioneering Environmental Innovations

* In 2007, Union Pacific tested the rail industry’s first long-haul diesel electric locomotive modified with “after market” experimental technology aimed at reducing exhaust emissions;
* In 2007, Union Pacific Center, the downtown Omaha headquarters received the Energy Innovators Award for being one of the nation’s most energy-efficient buildings;
* In 2005, Union Pacific employee Wayne Kennedy received the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award for creating the Fuel Masters program – a conservation program that rewards the fuel-saving efforts of locomotive engineers;
* In 2004, Union Pacific employee Tom Franklin received the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award for developing regulators that prevent fuel spills from automatic shut off equipment;
* In 2002, Union Pacific employee Timothy J. Kraus was named a John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award nominee for designing a new filter drain box that reduced the amount of waste oil released into the environment;
* In 2002, Union Pacific employee Mike Iden pioneered the concept for the Genset locomotives to help reduce locomotive emissions in rail yards during switching operations.