Energy Star Challenge for Industry Saves Power, Money, and Prevents
Harmful Emissions
More than 2 trillion Btu, enough energy to power 37,000 homes for a
year, saved
WASHINGTON
— One year ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
challenged the manufacturing industry to improve the energy efficiency
of their facilities by 10 percent or more within five years. Since that
time, 240 manufacturing sites have responded to the Energy Star
Challenge for Industry and 34 sites have improved their energy
efficiency by 10 percent or more. These energy efficiency improvements
prevent harmful greenhouse gas emissions and protect the health of
Americans.
“Energy efficiency is a wise investment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant
administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA and
Energy Star are there to help companies protect public health and the
environment by reducing emissions, and save money by saving energy.”
Both small and large manufacturing facilities have met the milestone and
have prevented nearly 119,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent,
demonstrating that efficiency opportunities exist across all sectors of
industry including
aerospace,
food processing,
pharmaceuticals, and motor vehicle manufacturing.
Many of these sites also report that savings were achieved at low cost
by strengthening energy management practices and improving operations
with help from EPA’s Energy Star program.
Under the challenge, manufacturing sites establish an energy intensity
baseline, set a 10 percent energy efficiency improvement goal, implement
energy efficiency projects, track energy use and verify their savings.
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.
The U.S. manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly 30 percent of
greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and spends nearly $100
billion annually on energy. If the energy efficiency of industrial
facilities improved by 10 percent, EPA estimates businesses would save
nearly $10 billion and prevent greenhouse gases emissions equal to the
annual emissions of approximately 12 million vehicles.
Energy
Star was started by EPA in 1992 as a market-based partnership to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Today, the Energy
Star label can be found on more than 60 different kinds of products as
well as new homes and commercial and industrial buildings that meet
strict energy-efficiency specifications set by EPA. Last year alone,
Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved approximately $18 billion
on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions
equivalent to the annual emissions of 33 million vehicles.
For a complete list of manufacturing sites:
http://www.energystar.gov/industrychallenge
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