Around The Railroad
2008 Pinnacle & Promontory Awards
UP Recognizes Chemical Customers' Safety Excellence
April 8, 2008 | 12:45 p.m. CDT
Thirty-one companies have been named recipients of Union Pacific Railroad's 12th annual Pinnacle Award, recognizing safety achievements of chemical and petrochemical customers.
"The Pinnacle Award gives UP the chance to acknowledge and thank our customers for their continuing efforts to eliminate chemical releases from railcars," said Diane Duren, vice president and general manager-chemicals. "We work closely with all customers on their loading, unloading and securement processes, jointly demonstrating a commitment to the safe transportation of hazardous materials."
UP chemical and petrochemical customers were invited to apply for the annual award. Applicants were judged on safe loading techniques, securement of shipments and zero non-accident releases.
"The Pinnacle Award gives UP the chance to acknowledge and thank our customers for their continuing efforts to eliminate chemical releases from railcars."
– Diane Duren, vice president and general manager-chemicals
Since 2000, non-accident releases of hazardous material on UP's network have declined 40 percent, due in part to increased inspections by the railroad's hazardous material safety field personnel and the Pinnacle Award criteria.
2008 Pinnacle Award recipients are:
Afton Chemical Corporation, BASF Corporation, BP Products North America, Canexus Chemical Canada LP, CF Industries, Inc., Chevron Oronite, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. LP, Chevron Products Co, Cytec Industries, Inc., Georgia Gulf Chemicals, Koch Sulfur Products Company LLC, Marathon Petroleum Company, Mexican Fluor, S.A. De C.V., Norfalco, NOVA Chemicals, Old World Industries, Olin Corporation, PCS Sales (USA), PPG Industries Inc, Rohm & Haas Texas Incorporated, Sasol North America, SI Group, Sunoco, Inc., Targa Resources, Tesoro Refining & Marketing, Texas PetroChemicals LP, Tronox, US Magnesium LLC, Valero Marketing & Supply Co., VeraSun Energy Corporation and Westlake Chemical
UP customers shipping a minimum of 100 carloads of hazardous material and registering zero no bills were awarded the 2nd annual Promontory Award.
"Although the number of hazmat cars shipped without a bill is far below one half of one percent, these customers deserve to be recognized," Duren said. "Their dedication to safely shipping goods on our railroad is evident as every single one of their cars is properly accounted for."
2008 Promontory Award recipients are:
Exxonmobil Lub Petro SP, Interchem, Lincoln Way Energy, Poet Biorefining, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP, Terra Industries, LyondellBasell Industries, Robinson Mining, Devon Gas Service, Ineos USA, Oxy Vinyls LP, Asa Albion, AV Fuels, D K Environmental, Elkem Metals, Questar Gas, Western Gas Resources, BP Products N. America, Merichem, Agrium US, Martin Sulphur, Air Liquide Industrial US, Eastman Chemical, Ineos Nitriles, Freeport McMoran Corporation, Nucor Bar Mill Group
All customers will receive their awards at Union Pacific's annual Safety Awards Banquet in Houston on April 23, 2008.
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