OMAHA, Neb. -

It was announced today that ShipCarsNow — a subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad — is the recipient of the 2014 SmartWay Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The shipper and logistics excellence award winners were recognized at the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals Annual Global Conference on Tuesday in San Antonio.

This annual award honors the top 1 percent of EPE partners that have worked to optimize their environmental performance and efficiency of their freight management operations.

The company reported that ShipCarsNow is the first railroad logistics company to receive the award, and was chosen based on its ability to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution through innovative transportation offerings.

It was also singled out for hauling more than 90 percent of its freight ton miles with environmentally and energy-efficient SmartWay carriers, the company shared.

Launched in 2004, SmartWay is an EPA program that works to reduce transportation-related emissions by creating incentives to improve supply chain fuel efficiency.

“Union Pacific and ShipCarsNow strive to protect the environment and reduce emissions by leveraging multi-modal options and SmartWay carriers to move goods in the most efficient way possible,” said Marty Coalson, president of ShipCarsNow. “Collaborating with the EPA and sharing best practices with our customers helps create socially responsible supply chains.”

ShipCarsNow is one of 11 companies to receive this distinction, out of SmartWay’s nearly 3,000 customers.

"On the occasion of our 10-year anniversary, EPA applauds this year’s SmartWay Excellence Award recipients," said Chris Grundler, director of EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality. "These firms are leading their business community to a cleaner, more efficient and sustainable future for goods movement. The award recipients’ efforts foster a more sustainable economy and strengthen energy security while generating environmental results.”