Which manufacturing plants in the U.S. are the most energy efficient?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has unveiled its list of the 103 U.S. manufacturing plants that earned ENERGY STAR certification in 2023. Only facilities in the top 25% of energy efficiency in their sector can receive this certification. According to the EPA, ENERGY STAR certification is available for 21 manufacturing sectors, and more than 270 plants have achieved ENERGY STAR certification since 2006.
Want to learn more about the energy industry? Check out EnergyTech
EnergyTech covers the commercial and industrial energy transition for large energy users seeking to decarbonize and improve power resiliency.
Energy usage can be reduced in a variety of ways. Here are a few projects and management practices employed by ENERGY STAR facilities:
- Bimbo Bakeries USA used advanced controls, metering systems, and high-efficiency burners to enable real-time control of energy use.
- Nissan North America, Inc. worked to improve energy efficiency by replaced more than 20,000 light fixtures with LEDs across all U.S. manufacturing plants.
- J.R. Simplot Company made its nitrogenous fertilizer plant more efficient with an on-site, one-megawatt solar photovoltaic project.
In a recent quote, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan said, “President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is breathing new life into energy efficient domestic manufacturing, and industry partners like those recognized today are leading the way. These ENERGY STAR certified plants demonstrate that cutting the embodied carbon of our industrial products through energy efficiency doesn’t just make environmental sense, it makes economic sense.”
About the Author
Alexis Gajewski
Senior Content Strategist
Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector.