NORFOLK, Va., Oct. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Norfolk
Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) has released its 2019 Corporate
Social Responsibility report, highlighting initiatives that support
a cleaner environment, promote economic growth and jobs, foster a
diverse and inclusive workplace, and build stronger
communities.
Demonstrating a commitment to sustainable business practices,
the company's 12th annual CSR report details the railroad's primary
environmental, economic, and social impacts during 2018 and early
2019.
"Norfolk Southern continues to make gains in sustainable freight
rail transportation with our focus on service, operating
efficiencies, growth, and long-term shareholder value," said CEO
James A. Squires. "As we Reimagine
Possible throughout our company, we remain committed to
industry-best performance for the benefit of our shareholders,
customers, employees, and the communities we serve."
Among other achievements detailed in the report, Norfolk
Southern in 2018:
Environmental performance:
- Maintained record-level locomotive fuel efficiency for the
second consecutive year, conserving more than 47 million gallons of
diesel fuel over the past two years compared with 2016 fuel-economy
performance.
- Continued favorable trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
through ongoing fuel-efficiency and emissions-reduction efforts,
with absolute GHG emissions decreasing by 2.6% year-over-year.
Economic performance:
- Began implementing precision scheduled railroading initiatives
that drove significant improvements in the first half of 2019,
including a more fluid, resilient network and more consistent and
reliable service. For example, train speed improved 15% and
terminal dwell of rail cars decreased 34% in the second quarter of
2019 versus full-year 2018 performance.
- Achieved record financial results, including all-time best
operating ratio of 65.4% and record income from railway
operations.
- Donated more than $8.8 million in
charitable contributions through the Norfolk Southern Foundation
and the corporation to support the health and vitality of
communities where NS employees work and live.
- Gained more than 60,000 carloads of new business across NS'
rail network through support of economic development efforts that
represented more than $1.5 billion in
customer investment and creation of nearly 3,000 customer
jobs.
Social performance:
- Continued efforts to reduce serious workplace injuries through
a safety program built around peer-to-peer engagement, on-the-job
safety briefings, workplace safety checkups, and a goal of zero
injuries and incidents.
- Provided training at no cost to more than 6,200 local emergency
responders on how to prepare for and safely respond to potential
rail-related incidents, including visiting 22 communities in 15
states with NS' safety train, a mobile classroom that offers
hands-on training opportunities.
- Became the first Class I railroad to sign the CEO Action for
Diversity and Inclusion pledge, a public commitment to cultivate a
workplace environment where diverse experiences and perspectives
are welcome and where employees feel comfortable and empowered to
discuss diversity and inclusion.
Norfolk Southern today also posted its 2019 filing with CDP,
formerly Carbon Disclosure Project, a voluntary disclosure of the
company's carbon emissions and steps the railroad is taking to
reduce its carbon footprint and identify climate-change risks.
About Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is one of the nation's
premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway
Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22
states and the District of
Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern
United States, and provides
efficient connections to other rail carriers. Norfolk Southern is a
major transporter of industrial products, including chemicals,
agriculture, and metals and construction materials. In addition,
the railroad operates the most extensive intermodal network in the
East and is a principal carrier of coal, automobiles, and
automotive parts.
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SOURCE Norfolk Southern Corporation