What is in this article?:
- Eastman Chemical's Energy Efficiency Makeover
- Energy Efforts Pay Off
Energy Efforts Pay Off
These actions by Eastman augmented support the company already was receiving as a participant in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star partner program. That support includes the opportunity to network with peer Energy Star partner companies. Eastman became an Energy Star partner in 2008.
Eastman Chemical Co.'s energy-management program delivered strong results in 2011 across 10 manufacturing sites. The results include:
• Energy savings in 2011 equal to $11.6 million and 357 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
• $7.5 million in savings from a corporate steam leak repair initiative.
• Formation of an energy-assessment process that identified more than $650,000 in savings. After a pilot effort in 2010, the assessment process rolled out in 2011 and is in its early stages.
• Employee involvement in the Energy Star "Change the World" program that led to the reduction of 16 million-plus pounds of greenhouse gas emissions.
For its efforts, Eastman recently was named a 2012 Energy Star Partner of the Year, one of 40 organizations to receive the honor.
While pleased with the energy-management successes Eastman Chemical achieved in 2011, Nolen says energy-efficiency efforts continue. "We've come a long way, but there's more to be accomplished," she says. "It is a never-ending effort. We can do better with what we already have, and as we introduce new processes, we can improve for the future as well."
The energy-management program has received a 2012 budget that's close to the $8 million it received in 2011, Nolen says. That signals corporate commitment to the program and awareness that the energy-management efforts are making a positive difference, she believes. "Executives don't give [a budget of that size] again if they don't feel they got a good return," she says.
