Representing 23% of auto assembly capacity, 7% of wet corn milling capacity and 6% of cement production capacity seventeen U.S. manufacturing plants were first-time winners of EPA's Energy Star award. The plants were recognized for their energy-efficient operations that prevented some 3 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions. The manufacturers' efforts not only cut pollution but also lowered energy consumption and reduced costs.
"By committing to smart energy use, America's historic economic backbone is now supporting our nation's brightening environmental future," said U.S. EPA administrator Stephen L. Johnson. "Working with our manufacturing partners, we are implementing President Bush's aggressive and practical strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while growing the American economy."
The U.S. manufacturing sector consumes about one-third of the energy used in the U.S. and contributes about 28% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
The administration's goal is to cut the greenhouse gas intensity by 18% by 2012. In 2005, Americans with the help of Energy Star saved about $12 billion on their energy bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those produced in powering 11 million single family homes.
The first plants awarded include:
Auto Assembly
- Ford Motor Co, Chicago, Ill. plant
- Ford Motor Co., St. Paul, Minn. plant
- Ford Motor Co., Claycomo, Mo. plant
- Ford Motor Co., Norfolk, Va. plant
- Nissan North America, Inc., Canton, Miss. plant
- Nissan North America, Inc. Smyrna, Tenn. plant
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Fremont, Calif. (NUMMI passenger)
- Toyota, Princeton, Ind. plant.
- Toyota, Georgetown, Ky. plant
Cement
- Ash Grove Cement Co., Chanute, Kan. plant
- Ash Grove Cement, Seattle, Wash. plant
- California Portland Cement Co., Colton, Calif. plant
- California Portland Cement, Mojave, Calif. plant
- Lafarge North America, Calera, Ala. plant
- Lafarge North America, Sugar Creek, Mo. plant
Wet Corn Milling
- Penford Products Co., Cedar Rapids, IA plant
- Tate and Lyle Ingredients Americas, Inc. , Lafayette, Ind., Sagamore plant
For more information about the energy efficiency rating system visit:
http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=in_focus.bus_industries_focus
