Railroad News

Union Pacific Railroad yesterday announced it received the results of the city of Houston's dioxin study, which shows dioxin levels in the city’s samples are well below the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s cleanup standards for dioxins in residential areas.

UP requested the data as part of an initiative to remediate the former Southern Pacific Houston Wood Preserving Works site. The Class I is calling for "accuracy and collaboration in response to the dioxin study," UP officials said in a prepared statement.

Union Pacific Railroad and Shell have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that calls for the exploration and testing of initiatives designed to help UP achieve its goals to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions (GHGs).

The MOU addresses UP's goals to reduce GHG emissions 26% by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050. In addition, the initiatives between the two companies will help Shell achieve its target to become a net-zero energy business by 2050, according to UP's Inside Track blog. 

Norfolk Southern Corp. is presenting its 2021 Thoroughbred Chemical Safety Award to 48 shippers to recognize their efforts in safely handling the movement of hazardous materials.

The 43 chemical manufacturers and five chemical plants chosen as winners safely transported or originated 100% of their shipments over the railroad’s network without a single incident last year, NS officials said in a press release. The winners are listed here.