Norfolk Southern is working to reduce its carbon footprint.

The Norfolk-based railroad company says it has set a five-year goal to save fuel and improve efficiencies.

Norfolk Southern plans to lower its greenhouse gas emissions per revenue ton-mile ten percent by 2014. The company says in 2009 it transported 158.5 billion ton-miles of freight that produced 4.7 million metric tons of greenhouse gases.

The company says the goal is aggressive yet realistic. That goal would result in 475,000 fewer metric tons going into the atmosphere annually by 2014.

Norfolk Southern says railroad upgrades also are expected to improve efficiency. Other efforts will address emissions from energy used for heating, cooling, and lighting buildings and other facilities.

©2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.