Steel Mills
USS Unveils Battery-Operated Locomotives in Green Push
Written by Ethan Bernard
October 31, 2023
U.S. Steel said it has converted two of its diesel switcher locomotives to “state-of-the-art battery-operated locomotives.”
As part of its “commitment to sustainability,” the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker made the move at its Mon Valley Works’ Edgar Thomson and Clairton Plants in Pennsylvania.
“Mon Valley Works is the first industrial site to deploy this technology to reduce small particulate matter emissions from its locomotive fleet,” Scott Buckiso, SVP and chief manufacturing officer, said in a statement on Monday.
The locomotives, which transport steel, coke, scrap metal, iron ore, and other materials necessary for production within the facilities, “are expected to reduce airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions by .385 tons – the equivalent emissions of 7,000 gasoline-powered passenger vehicles.”
U.S. Steel said it invested more than $2.3 million in the locomotives. The remaining cost was offset through a partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).
The company noted the locomotives were built by Innovative Rail Technologies (IRT), “a provider of customized lithium-ion propulsion solutions to the locomotive rail market.”
Ethan Bernard
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