The DOE has recognized 11 manufacturers for energy efficiency achievements under the Better Plants Program comprised of voluntary participants that have pledged to reduce energy intensity 25 percent over 10 years.
On October 2, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) recognized 11 manufacturers for meeting energy efficiency goals under the Better Buildings, Better Plants Program, under which manufacturers have committed to improve their energy intensity (energy use per unit of output) by 25 percent over 10 years. Over the previous four years, Better Plants partners have improved energy intensity of their operations by approximately 2.4 percent annually, exceeding projected business-as-usual rates for U.S. manufacturers. Currently, U.S. manufacturers spend more than $200B each year to power their plants.
Better Plants Program Growth (DOE)
The 11 Better Plants Partners that received DOE recognition are BPM, Inc; Celanese International Corp; Holcim (US) Inc; Legrand North America; Lennox International Inc; Patriot Foundry & Castings; Procter & Gamble; Texas Instruments; ThyssenKrupp Elevator; Toyota; and Verso Paper Corp.
According to DOE, the Better Plants Program has 144 partners representing more than 2,300 manufacturing facilities — approximately 11 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing energy footprint. The participants’ cumulative energy savings totals to approximately 320 trillion British Thermal Units, equivalent to approximately $1.7B in energy cost savings. To date, Better Plants partners have avoided approximately 18.5 million metric tons of emissions, roughly equivalent to the annual emissions of five coal-fired power plants.
The Better Plants Program is part of the 2011 Better Buildings Initiative which aims to make commercial and industrial buildings at least 20 percent more energy efficient by 2020. Any company in the manufacturing sector is eligible to participate in the program regardless of size or energy management expertise. Participants are required to develop an energy use baseline, track energy intensity changes, and report energy data and progress annually. Benefits received by participants include national recognition and DOE technical support. The DOE provides support to develop baselines and energy management plans; identify emerging, energy-efficient technologies; and apply for in-plant trainings to implement energy-saving projects.
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