William B. Cassidy | Sep 14, 2011 2:45PM EDT
New England Motor Freight is relying on solar power to reduce energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions at two New Jersey truck terminals.
Rooftop solar panels will provide 98.5 percent of the power at NEMF’s Pennsauken terminal and 86 percent of the electricity needed at its South Plainfield facility.
The trucking operator plans to install solar panels to power its Elizabeth, N.J., headquarters, as well, said Thomas Connery, executive vice president and COO.
The decision reflects increasing use of solar energy by transportation companies eager to reduce their carbon footprint, often at the request of shippers. In New Jersey, Holt Logistics and UPS are installing solar energy systems.
“We believe that solar technology is the future of clean and efficient energy production and that it is here to stay,” Connery said.
“Government incentives have finally made it only a financially feasible option but a smart business decision” that “solidifies our business by reducing cost,” he said.
The solar system will eliminate the equivalent of 521 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the greenhouse gas emissions from 58,414 gallons of gasoline, NEMF said.
Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter at @wbcassidy_joc