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ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWS AND CASE STUDIES: Environmental Ethics at Amtrak: From Compliance to Sustainability

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 August 2012

Roy Deitchman ,
Celia Ann H. Pfleckl  and
Benjamin H. Deitchman
Roy Deitchman*
Affiliation:
Vice President–Environmental, Health and Safety, Amtrak, Washington, DC
Celia Ann H. Pfleckl
Affiliation:
Senior Environmental Engineer, Amtrak, Washington, DC
Benjamin H. Deitchman
Affiliation:
Graduate Student, School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia
*
Roy Deitchman, Vice President–Environmental, Health and Safety, Amtrak, 60 Massachusetts Avenue NE, Washington, DC 20002; (phone) 202-906-3278; (fax) 202-906-3500; (e-mail) [email protected]
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Abstract

Amtrak, which is the national provider of intercity rail transportation, moved over 30 million passengers in fiscal year 2011. Amtrak signed a consent decree with the United States EPA for Clean Water Act violations in New England in 2001. From a required Environmental Management System implemented under the consent decree, Amtrak developed a fledgling sustainability program. The program has moved carefully over the past 11 years, cautiously handling resources available for environmental management. Programs have been implemented to calculate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, trial alternative fuels, and support customers wishing to reduce their impact on the environment. Ethical concerns have been addressed in the areas of environmental messaging and additionality of new program areas. These concerns have led to working guidelines focused on addressing ethical matters.

Environmental Practice 14:190–194 (2012)

Type
Features
Information
Environmental Practice , Volume 14 , Issue 3 , September 2012 , pp. 190 - 194
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2012

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