© GCR

Grand Canyon National Park is getting greener everyday. A few weeks ago the park banned disposable water bottles of less than one gallon for sale in the park and now the National Park Service has awarded a concessionaire, Grand Canyon Railway (owned and operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts) with an Environmental Achievement Award in the Lean, Clean and Green category.

Grand Canyon Railway’s (GCR) award stemmed from their recent conversion of an inefficient, 1923 Baldwin steam locomotive from diesel fuel to clean-burning, waste vegetable oil (WVO). Use of the locomotive significantly reduces GCR’s environmental footprint because WVO burns much more cleanly than diesel. The WVO locomotive assists the Grand Canyon community in reaching their Climate Friendly Park goal of reducing green house gas emissions.

“The NPS Environmental Achievement Awards recognize concessionaires who demonstrate exceptional accomplishments toward the overall goal of preservation and protection of the resources under our stewardship,” said Park Superintendent Dave Uberuaga. “Grand Canyon Railway’s innovative conversion is a tremendous example of actions that can reduce a park’s carbon footprint and showcase the value of renewable energy, one of the goals of the Call to Action.”

Grand Canyon National Park was voted as one of the top 5 US National Parks for camping and is a finalist in the 2012 Readers Choice Awards.

More: Hiking Half Dome | Top 5 US National Parks for Camping | Grand Canyon National Park Overview | Vote for your Favorite US National Park for Camping

The Top 5 US National Parks for Camping: Glacier | Grand Canyon | Great Smoky Mountains | Yellowstone | Yosemite