The annual award recognizes railroad employees for outstanding environmental awareness and responsibility. Durden is the eighth CSX employee and first-ever intermodal representative to win the award, which is named for the late Rhode Island senator who devoted his career to protecting the environment.
As the leader of the CSX Intermodal Terminals team overseeing terminal planning, engineering, and construction, Durden has successfully orchestrated the completion of intermodal rail terminals across the CSX network, including the award-winning Northwest Ohio Intermodal Facility and terminals in Central Florida and Massachusetts.
“Chris Durden’s team maintains superior performance with a focus on CSX’s responsibility to the surrounding community, environment, and wildlife,” said CSX Intermodal Terminals President Wilby Whitt. “His teams implement industry-leading design features that combine operational efficiency with environmental responsibility, including electric wide-span cranes that operate with zero air emissions and regenerate 60% of their power back to the terminal electric grid; driveway and parking surfaces that reduce the heat island effect and stormwater runoff; solar photovoltaic panels that provide energy to buildings; and LED high-mast light towers that reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs.”
“Chris leads a team that brings a unique understanding of the value of sustainable development for improving efficiency when building state-of-the-art intermodal facilities,” said Whitt. “Chris’s commitment to further raising environmental awareness and including sustainability features within building design has contributed to CSX’s success, and this award is a testament to his dedication. His performance showcases CSX’s commitment to sustainability, which affects every decision the company makes. CSX has invested $1.75 billion in fuel-efficient locomotives and technologies over the past decade, and is making strides towards its voluntary goal to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% to 8% by 2020. Through transportation solutions such as intermodal shipping, CSX is helping customers reduce costs, fuel consumption, highway congestion, and carbon emissions.”
“Chris’s achievements showcase what is possible when railroad professionals make sustainability a top priority,” aid AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. “He consistently leads teams that find new ways to reduce environmental impact and improve the quality of life in communities served by the freight rail network. We are pleased to recognize him with the John H. Chafee Award, and appreciate his contributions.”
Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) was honored with the 2014 John H. Chafee Congressional Environmental Award, “recognizing her decades of leadership on environmental issues in her home state of Maryland, where she has led efforts to protect the Chesapeake Bay by restoring water quality, habitats and fisheries,” said Hamberger. “Sen. Mikulski and Chris Durden both embody the dedication necessary to ensure our environment is preserved and protected for generations to come.”