Pittsburgh-based United States Steel Corp. (U. S. Steel) recently converted two of the company’s diesel switcher locomotives to battery-operated locomotives at the Mon Valley Works’ Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants.
“Mon Valley Works is the first industrial site to deploy this technology to reduce small particulate matter emissions from its locomotive fleet,” Scott Buckiso, U. S. Steel senior vice president and chief manufacturing officer, said. “Advancing our Best for All strategy means producing solutions that benefit our customers and communities, people and planet. This includes investing in technological advancements at our facilities.”
The locomotives will carry coke, iron ore, steel, scrap metal, and other materials.
The switch will reduce the diesel fuel the facilities consume by 40,000 gallons annually, reduce airborne particulate matter emissions by .385 tons, and help the company reach its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Innovative Rail Technologies, a rail solutions provider, built the locomotives.
U. S. Steel paid more than $2.3 million with additional costs offset through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Driving PA Forward – Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program.
The Driving PA Forward initiative improves air quality statewide by transforming older diesel engines to cleaner technologies to help Pennsylvania meet diesel emissions reduction goals.