The 23rd annual Railroad Environmental Conference (RREC), held virtually on 26-27 October 2021, was a huge success. This two-day event hosted over 330 registrants, delivered 55 sessions, included over 80 speakers, and highlighted keynote speaker Karl Simon, Director, Transportation and Climate Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Recordings of approved conference presentations will be made available to registered attendees during the first week of November for three months on the conference app, Whova.
Six railroad industry professionals were nominated for the Association of American Railroads (AAR) Professional Environmental Excellence Award. This is the highest honor for environmental professionals in the railroad industry and is presented annually at RREC. The winner was Robert Schoble of Norfolk Southern Railway. The other nominees were: Michael Clift (BNSF Railway), Michael Panhuise (Amtrak), Hillary Parker (Union Pacific Railroad), James Roberts (CSX) and Jennifer Welch (Watco Companies).
In addition, three Railroad Environmental Achievement Award winners were announced at the conference. The winners are: Robert Fronczak (AAR), Christi Hornick (Union Pacific Railroad), and Josh Raglin (Norfolk Southern Railway). This award recognizes significant career accomplishments in advancing railroad industry environmental practice and policy.
Detailed information on these awards and their winners were featured in Railway Age, Progressive Railroading, American Journal of Transportation and on the AAR website.
Planning begins immediately for next year’s conference. Look for 2022 RREC dates to be announced soon.