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EPA Challenges Manufacturing Industry to Improve Energy Efficiency: 10 percent savings within 5 years set as industry goal; several facilities show early results

Release Date: 05/06/2010
Contact Information: Enesta Jones, [email protected], 202-564-7873, 202-564-4355

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today recognized the first group of manufacturing sites that have met the Energy Star Challenge for Industry and reduced their energy intensity by 10 percent within 5 years or less. The U.S. manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and spends almost $100 billion annually on energy. Under the umbrella of the Energy Star Challenge for Industry, EPA is working with individual manufacturing sites and their parent companies to fight climate change and save money through improvements in energy efficiency.

The first manufacturing facilities owned by Energy Star partners to meet or exceed the 10 percent reduction goal within 5 years or less under the Energy Star Challenge for Industry are:

Kodak's Manitou site in Rochester, N.Y.: 25 percent reduction (2007-2009)
Kodak’s GCG Columbus manufacturing site in Columbus, Ga.: 10 percent reduction (2007-2008)
Shearer's Foods, Inc.’s Lubbock, Texas plant: 15 percent reduction (2009-2010)
Detroit Diesel’s Redford Component Manufacturing Center in Detroit, Mich.: 17 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Elgin Headquarters facility in Elgin, Ill.: 17 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Selma, Texas facility: 26 percent reduction (2008-2009)
John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc.’s Garysburg, N.C. facility: 23 percent reduction (2008-2009)
FetterGroup’s Headquarters Facility in Louisville, Ky.: 23 percent reduction (2007-2009)

Total annual energy savings for these companies are equal to the energy needed to power all the homes on the island of Nantucket for a year. Annual carbon dioxide savings are nearly 34,000 metric tons - equal to the emissions from nearly 6,500 cars.

Under the Energy Star Challenge for Industry, manufacturing sites establish an energy intensity baseline, set a 10 percent reduction goal, implement energy efficiency projects, track energy use and verify their savings. Any U.S. manufacturing site may participate in the Energy Star Challenge for Industry. Trade associations and regional energy efficiency programs can also join with EPA to promote the Energy Star Challenge for Industry. The International Dairy Foods Association, Energy Trust of Oregon and the Connecticut Energy Efficiency Fund have signed up to promote the Energy Star Challenge for Industry to their members and partners.

Manufacturing accounts for 30 percent of energy use in the United States. If the energy efficiency of industrial facilities improved by 10 percent, EPA estimates that Americans would save nearly $10 billion and reduce greenhouse gases emissions equal to about 12 million vehicles. Hundreds of industrial companies across nearly a dozen manufacturing industries are working with EPA’s Energy Star program to develop strong energy management programs, earn the Energy Star for their facilities and achieve breakthrough improvements in energy efficiency.

Learn more about the Energy Star Challenge for Industry: http://www.energystar.gov/industrychallenge