September 20, 2006—Seventeen US manufacturing plants were first-time winners of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Energy Star award in recognition of their energy-efficient operations that prevented some 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. EPA says the manufacturers’ efforts not only cut pollution but also lowered energy consumption and reduced costs.
The plants represent six percent of US cement production capacity; seven percent of wet corn milling capacity; and 23 percent of auto assembly capacity. Plant owners are eligible to earn the Energy Star award for a plant if the plant’s energy performance score is in the top 25 percent nationally according to EPA’s national energy performance rating, based on actual energy use.
The first plants being recognized with the Energy Star award, listed by industry, include:
Auto Assembly: the Ford Motor Company assembly plants in Chicago, IL, St. Paul, MN, Claycomo, MO, and Norfolk, VA; the Nissan North America, Inc., assembly plants in Canton, MS, and Smyrna, TN; and the Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. assembly plants in Fremont, CA, Princeton, IN, and Georgetown, KY.
Cement: the Ash Grove Cement Company plants in Chanute, KS, and Seattle, WA; the California Portland Cement Company plants in Colton, CA and Mojave, CA; and the Lafarge North America plants in Calera, AK, and Sugar Creek, MO.
Wet Corn Milling: The Penford Products Company plant in Cedar Rapids, IA , and the Tate and Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc., Sagamore plant in Lafayette, IN.
For more information about this plant recognition and the energy efficiency rating system, visit Energy Star.
