Railpower Hybrid Corp. of Erie was one of the 13 winners of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 7th Annual Clean Air Excellence Awards.

They were chosen from 75 applicants around the country for outstanding accomplishments in reducing air emissions.

"Congratulations to the winners of the 7th annual Clean Air Excellence Awards. One should never underestimate the power of American innovation," said William L. Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for Air and Radiation. "These original ideas and cutting-edge projects embody our nation's unwavering commitment to cleaner, healthier air."

Railpower Hybrid Corp. won in the Clean Technology category for developing two models of an ultra-clean switching locomotive called the Green Goat.

Operating under the slogan “Better Economics, Better Environment,” Railpower has been active in the development, marketing, and production of hybrid technologies applicable in the rail and port sectors.

Railpower locomotives have been designated as Ultra Low Emitting Locomotives by the California Air Resources Board and have subsequently been used in government-funded incentive programs, such as the Carl Moyer Program in California and the Texas Emission Reduction Plan.

The Green Goat prototype was developed in 2000, completed in 2001, and tested in 2002. The first hybrid switching locomotive is in service at the Union Pacific Railroad in Roseville, CA; over 100 RailPower Locomotives are currently in service. Railpower produced close to 50 units in 2006 and currently maintains a backlog order of 50 to 100 units.

The program was established in the year 2000 at the recommendation of the Clean Air Act Advisory Committee, a senior-level policy committee that advises EPA on implementing the Clean Air Act.

A complete list of winners is available online.

For more information on the Green Goat, visit the Railpower Hybrid Corp website.

5/11/2007