News Releases from Region 07

Three Missouri Cement Plants certified as Top Performing Energy Star Certified Manufacturing Plants

Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lenexa, Kan., March 11, 2015) - Three eastern Missouri cement plants are part of a group of 70 manufacturing plants that achieved Energy Star certification for their superior energy performance in 2014. Continental Cement of Hannibal, Holcim Ste. Genevieve, and Buzzi River Cement in Festus were recognized for leading their industry by saving energy and money while combating climate change.

"Energy Star certified manufacturing plants are leading their industries by advancing energy efficiency and making cost-saving improvements while combating climate change," said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. "Through their work with EPA, the 2014 Energy Star manufacturing plants are demonstrating that making sustainability and energy efficiency improvements is a smart business decision."

Energy Star certified plants are independently verified on an annual basis to have reached the top 25 percent of energy performance for their industries nationwide. Among these are plants from the auto assembly, cement manufacturing, corn refining, food processing, glass manufacturing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and petroleum refining industries.

Together, the 70 manufacturing plants saved a record amount of energy, cut their energy bills by $725 million, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 8 million metric tons - equivalent to the annual total energy use of more than 650,000 households. From implementing corporate energy management programs to implementing energy efficiency projects, there are many ways plants can save energy with EPA's Energy Star program.

Since the inception of EPA's Energy Star certification, a total of 139 manufacturing plants have achieved this distinction. These plants have saved over 530 trillion British thermal units (TBtu) in energy, equal to preventing more than 36 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions and saving enough energy to provide the total yearly energy needs of approximately 3 million American households.

EPA provides industry-specific Energy Star plant benchmarking tools to help industry measure energy performance. These are available or under development for more than 20 manufacturing sectors. Energy Star benchmarks enable companies to compare a plant's energy performance against those of its industry and empower manufacturers to set informed improvement goals.