READING, Pa. — Penske Truck Leasing has joined the SmartWay Transport Partnership, an innovative collaboration between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the freight industry designed to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Penske’s logistics and truck rental operations have earned the highest EPA Performance Scores of 1.25, representing outstanding environmental performance. Both are using most of the commercially available fuel saving strategies and actively evaluating the latest fleet technologies.

Penske will contribute to the partnership’s goal to reduce 33 to 66 million metric tonnes of carbon dioxide and up to 200,000 tonnes of nitrogen oxide per year by 2012 by improving the environmental performance of its fleet and freight operations and also promoting program awareness among its expansive customer base.

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 and professional associations to pursue mutually beneficial efficiencies that result in emissions reductions and other environmental improvements, as well as cost savings.

In a related matter, Penske Truck Leasing also named Joe Moleski to the newly created position of vice-president of sustainability. He will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s environmental improvement efforts.

“We are very pleased to be a part of SmartWay,” said Moleski. “We are already working to drive a number of internal initiatives designed to help our customers meet their environmental goals and fuel cost and emission savings while working toward our own commitments to operate even more responsibly as it relates to the environment.”

Previously, Moleski served as an area vice-president for 14 years in the company’s Northeast Area. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Seton Hall University and resides in East Longmeadow, Mass.