Left to right: Elaine Fultz (Citizen’s Climate Lobby), Eric Cheung (Clean Air Council), Dennis Newman (Amtrak), Joe Minott (Clean Air Council)
In a news release yesterday, the Clean Air Council applauded Amtrak’s decision to forego the installation of new gas boilers to heat the railway’s historic 30th Street Station. Instead, the railway will convert its current steam generation to electricity generated by wind and solar, or use biofuels.
In addition, Amtrak has committed to purchasing 100 percent clean energy by 2030 and to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2045.
“Amtrak’s decision to use clean renewable energy instead of methane gas boilers is a big win for the climate and public health,” said Eric Cheung, Clean Air Council Acting Executive Director.
“Amtrak’s action will help us advance the rapid transition off of fossil fuels and towards clean, renewable energy needed to combat the climate crisis. It also prevents Philadelphia residents from being exposed to the harmful air pollution that would have been emitted by the gas boilers.”
Amtrak is a federally supported corporation that operates nearly all intercity passenger trains in the United States. It was established by the U.S. Congress in 1970 and took over passenger service from the private rail companies in 1971. The name Amtrak is a combination of the words America and track. Amtrak was created to revive the declining rail travel industry in the U.S.
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