JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – May 7, 2015 – The Association of American Railroads (AAR) recognized CSX employee Suneil Kuthiala with the John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award for his outstanding environmental leadership, especially in the area of fuel efficiency. 

Kuthiala is a director of advanced engineering at CSX, with 14 years of service with the company in positions across engineering and technology. Currently, Kuthiala oversees the implementation and development of a technology solution, GE’s Trip Optimizer, to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

“CSX has a strong record of industry leadership around environmental excellence, and I’m proud to see Suneil recognized with this distinguished award,” said Carl Gerhardstein, assistant vice president of public health, safety and environment. “At CSX, we believe that how you get there matters, and Suneil and his team are leading drastic fuel efficiency improvements that minimize CSX’s impact on the environment while simultaneously reducing the company’s fuel spend.”

Trip Optimizer uses technology to identify fuel efficiency opportunities. Driven by Suneil’s leadership, Trip Optimizer is helping CSX deliver on its goal to further reduce GHG emission intensity six to eight percent over 2011 levels by 2020. Currently, Trip Optimizer yields a 174,000-ton average reduction in GHG emissions annually, the equivalent of taking more than 36,000 cars off the road in a single year. CSX has saved 11.8 million gallons of fuel because of the program.

“The major fuel-efficiency benefits we’ve seen from this program are a testament to the Trip Optimizer team’s dedicated efforts and focus on the environment,” said John Hart, assistant vice president, process excellence. “This program is changing the way CSX uses technology to improve operational, financial and environmental performance.”

The annual Chafee Environmental Excellence Award is named for the late Rhode Island senator who devoted his career to protecting the environment. Kuthiala is the ninth CSX employee to win this award.

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company.  It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products.  For nearly 190 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development.  Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides.  It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and farming towns alike.  More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com.  Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

Contact: 

Kaitlyn Barrett
(904) 359-1037