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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Covenant Transport received an Environmental Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency SmartWay(SM) Transport Partnership for its leadership in conserving energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from its transportation and freight activities. Covenant Transport adopted several fuel saving technologies including the use of the latest aerodynamic and engine packages, auxiliary power units, and speed management to save 3,415,289 gallons of fuel, reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 310,173 tons, and generate $9,836,032 in savings.

"Covenant Transport is pleased to receive a SmartWay Excellence Award. Our associates and drivers deserve a great deal of credit for being innovative and committed to this important program. Through adopting best practices in technology, equipment and procedures as well as enthusiastic advocacy of the SmartWay program through our marketing efforts, Covenant is committed for the long term to the mission of SmartWay," says Joey Hogan, President of Covenant Transport. "Our partnership with SmartWay Transport shows companies can lower their fuel use, save money and help the environment," added Jerry Eddy, Sr. Vice President of Operations.

Covenant Transport was one of 27 companies and organizations, from among the Partnerships' more than 1,000 Partners, to receive this distinction. The awards were announced today at the annual conference of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals in Denver, Colorado.

"EPA is pleased to recognize these SmartWay Partners with a 2008 Excellence Award. I commend Covenant Transport for its leadership in promoting sustainable transportation practices through the SmartWay Transport Partnership," said Margo T. Oge, Director of the Office of Transportation and Air Quality, EPA. "Their commitment is helping lead us toward a cleaner environment and more secure energy supply."

SmartWay was introduced by EPA and a select group of fifteen shipping and business leaders in 2004 as an innovative, market-based partnership to reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollutants from the freight sector. Today, more than 1,000 businesses and organizations have joined the Partnership, including companies of all sizes, from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses, each working to improve their environmental performance. Together, through the SmartWay Partnership, these companies, including Covenant Transport are conserving over 540 million gallons of diesel fuel per year, saving the trucking industry at least $2.3 billion in annual fuel and maintenance costs, and eliminating over 6 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions that contribute to global warming. By 2012, the SmartWay program, with full industry participation, estimates nationwide that it will achieve annual fuel savings of 3.3 to 6.6 billion gallons of diesel fuel, eliminating 33 - 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions and up to 200,000 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions.

John Arthur Daniel, Covenant's Vice President of Marketing, asks any trucking company not currently a part of the program to consider joining SmartWay: "The partnership provides truckers with tools and information, and contributes on a daily basis to significant improvements in our efficiency and environmental performance. We urge all of our colleagues in the freight industry to consider joining SmartWay."

For more information about SmartWay visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway or call (734) 214-4767. For more information about the SmartWay Award recipients, visit: http://www.epa.gov/smartway/awards07.htm For more information about Covenant Transport, please visit http://www.covenanttransport.com/ , visit our information page at http://www.ctginfo.com/ or call 800-974-8332, Option 4.