Demand Management, Energy Efficiency, Industrial  -  September 27, 2016

Nissan, Sherwin-Williams, 10 more hit DOE goals

Offering a new progress update on the Better Plants program, the U.S. DOE announced that 12 manufacturers met their energy or water savings goals in 2016 and 30 new partners have joined the challenge. 

Among this year's goal achievers were Nissan Motor Co. Ltd, Sherwin-Williams and Daikin. Each of the 12 have met their goals of reducing energy intensity by more than 25%, often faster than expected. The new 12 bring the grand total of goal achievers to 35; since President Barack Obama launched the Better Buildings, Better Plants program five years ago, partners have saved more than $3 billion in cumulative energy costs, the DOE said in a Sept. 23 statement.

The department says energy efficiency investments have improved the competitiveness of program participants, who have recorded a 3% average annual energy intensity improvement since its launch. In 2015, partners reported an estimated cumulative energy savings of 600 trillion British thermal units and saved more than $3.1 billion in energy costs. 

The Better Plants program is still growing: the DOE initiative saw the highest growth of new partners joining in 2016 since it began in 2009. It's 32 new additions this year include L'Oréal USA, The Campbell Soup Company and Honda Motor Co. Ltd.  

The Better Buildings, Better Plants Program is part of the broader Better Buildings Initiative, launched in 2011. The goal of the Better Buildings program is to make commercial, public, industrial and residential buildings 20% more energy efficient over ten years from when partners join.

With these new 2016 members, Better Plants partners now represent more than 11% of the manufacturing sector’s total energy footprint, with more than 2,500 facilities across the United States, according to the DOE. 

"This hugely successful program involves thousands of facilities, avoiding millions of metric tons of carbon emissions and saving billions of dollars in energy costs. The progress that our Better Plants partners have made throughout the Obama Administration indicates that American companies are committed to reducing the energy footprint of their operations," Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said in a statement. "That commitment is essential for America to continue making important strides toward a low-carbon future."

The full list of 2016 goal-achievers are listed below. The DOE's full fall progress update on the Better Plants program is available here, in the Smart Energy Decisions research center.

• Cummins Inc., an engines, fuel and power generation manufacturer based in Columbus, Ind., achieved a 45% reduction in water intensity;
• Daikin Applied Americas, an HVAC systems manufacturer based in Minneapolis, Minn., achieved 35% energy savings;
• Expera Specialty Solutions, which makes paper products and is based in Kaukauna, Wisc., achieved 26% energy savings;
• General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton Operation, a Falls Church, Va.,-based aerospace and defense company, achieved 32% energy savings at its Scranton, Penn., facility.
• Graphic Packaging International, a commercial products packaging manufacturer based in Atlanta, Ga., achieved 26% energy savings;
• Ingevity, a chemicals manufacturer based in North Charleston, South Carolina, achieved 26% energy savings;
• Kingspan Insulated Panels, a panels and insulation products manufacturer based in DeLand, Fla., achieved 32% energy savings.
• Nissan North America Inc., an automotive manufacturer based in Franklin, Tenn., achieved 30% energy savings;
• OSRAM SYLVANIA, a lighting manufacturer based in Wilmington, Mass., achieved 35% energy savings;
• Sherwin-Williams Co., a paints and coatings manufacturer based in Cleveland, OH, achieved 28% energy savings;
• United Technologies Corp., an aerospace and building systems manufacturer, based in Hartford, Conn., achieved a 43% reduction in water intensity;
• Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, a wastewater treatment agency based in Victorville, Calif., achieved 27% energy savings.

Editor's note: The Better Buildings Initiative is a Smart Energy Decisions content partner. 

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