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ASLRRA Green Spark Award Criteria

The ASLRRA Green Spark Award (formerly known as the Environmental Award) honors an outstanding short line railroad that demonstrates exceptional commitment to environmental stewardship, sustainability and innovation. This award recognizes businesses that have integrated eco-friendly practices into their operations, products or services, proving that size is no barrier to impact. Award recipients serve as inspiring examples of how short line railroads can lead the way toward a greener future while maintaining profitability and growth.

Who is Eligible?

All ASLRRA freight railroad members are invited to submit nominations for this award. Eligibility and outcome are not affected by the size of a competing railroad’s project or operations.

How do I Enter?

Entries are submitted via online form. The nomination period for this award has closed for the year.

What Factors are Used to Evaluate the Entries?

Nominees should showcase measurable efforts in areas such as:

  • Reducing carbon footprint or energy consumption
  • Implementing waste reduction and recycling programs
  • Using sustainable materials or packaging
  • Promoting biodiversity or conservation
  • Educating customers and communities about environmental issues

The nomination form asks railroads to identify steps taken or projects completed in the following areas. Railroad projects do not need to address every detail on this list, but the strongest nominations will provide ample evidence and a strong narrative to demonstrate outstanding environmental efforts.

Section 1: Environmental Stewardship

  1. Energy Efficiency and Emissions Reduction (e.g. steps taken to reduce fuel consumption or switch to cleaner energy sources and technologies)
  2. Waste Management and Pollution Control (e.g. steps taken to manage hazardous materials, recycle and/or minimize waste)
  3. Sustainable Infrastructure and Maintenance (e.g. efforts to adopt eco-friendly materials in construction, use environmentally friendly products and/or implement green building practices)

Section 2: Innovation and Leadership

  1. Improving Environmental Performance (e.g. adoption of innovations, technologies, systems or processes to improve environmental performance and/or efforts to lead or influence others in the industry to adopt sustainable practices)

Section 3: Community and Industry Engagement

  1. Promoting Environmental Practices (e.g. ways the railroad has promoted environmental awareness in the community, participated in local clean-up efforts and educational outreach and/or been involved with industry coalitions or regulatory advisory groups)

When will the Award be Presented?

The winner will be honored at ASLRRA's Annual Convention.