Sterling Transport Co. Inc. In Vass has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry.

The partnership is designed to increase energy efficiency while significantly reducing greenhouse gasses and air pollution.

Sterling Transport will contribute to the Partnership's goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of freight operations. Carbon dioxide is the most common greenhouse gas, and nitrogen oxide is an air pollutant that contributes to smog.

By joining the SmartWay Transport Partnership, Sterling Transport demonstrates its strong environmental leadership and corporate responsibility, company President Hugh Hinton Jr. said.

"We are committed to doing our part as a Truckload Carrier to reduce greenhouse gas and improving our environment," he said. "Sterling Transport is looking forward to helping achieve this goal and doing its part as a responsible corporate citizen."

Launched in February 2004, the SmartWay Transport Partnership aims to achieve fuel savings of up to 150 million barrels of fuel per year.

The partnership brings together major freight shippers, trucking companies, railroads, logistics companies and trade/professional associations to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings to the companies.

The partnership currently has 1,400 partners.

Sterling Transport is a regional truckload tanker carrier that operates in the Southeastern United States. More information about Sterling Transport is available on its Web site at www.sterlingtransport.com.

For information about the SmartWay Transport Partnership visit www.epa.gov/smartway.