Union Pacific’s Fox Honored with AAR Environmental Excellence Award

Dedicated to making trains more efficient, Jason Fox, senior director-Locomotive Engineering and Quality, Mechanical, is playing a key role in Union Pacific's environmental initiatives - and his work is receiving national recognition.

Fox was recently honored with the 2024 John H. Chafee Environmental Excellence Award by the Association of American Railroads (AAR). The award, named after the late Rhode Island senator known for environmental advocacy, is the highest honor bestowed by the AAR for non-environment professionals.

"Jason exemplifies this award," said Jeremy Givens, vice president, Mechanical. "His dedication to sustainability pushes Union Pacific to the leading edge of efficiency."

This year, Union Pacific began testing the first of six cutting-edge hybrid battery-electric locomotives, which are expected to consume as much as 80% less fuel. Fox was instrumental in developing these first-of-their-kind hybrid locomotives, which will operate as 'mother-slug' units with one locomotive running on diesel and an accessory or 'slug' unit providing battery power.

"This is a huge step forward in zero-emission technology, and it's one of the coolest things I've worked on in my career," Fox said. "If all goes well, we may someday use this technology to build trains in all of our rail yards."

Alongside Fox, Anne Walsh, director-Environmental Programs, was nominated for AAR's 2024 Environmental Professional Award for her dedication to ensuring environmental risk controls in field operations are derived from standardized best management practices at the program level.

Walsh guides leaders covering 55 environmental programs and has been instrumental in developing a comprehensive management system audit procedure. Recently, Walsh created a user-friendly playbook for each of Union Pacific's environmental programs, improving access and user experience.

"Anne's dedication and strategic leadership continue to make a meaningful impact on Union Pacific's environmental stewardship and operational practices," said Matthew Graham, general director-Environmental Management. "Her efforts ensure that the company stays ahead in environmental compliance and sustainability, setting a high standard for the industry."