WASHINGTON - U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman has announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) designed to maximize the energy efficiency of U.S. industry. Specifically, the MOU includes initiatives that aim to assist manufacturing facilities in implementing an energy management program; adopt clean, efficient technologies; and achieve continual energy efficiency and intensity reduction improvements.

“Increasing energy efficiency is not only good practice, but it can also be good business,” Bodman said. This agreement “between DOE and NAM represents a significant commitment between government and the private sector to help curb our nation’s energy use and enhance energy security while also reducing emissions.”

Bodman joined John Engler, president of NAM, to sign the MOU. Through the agreement, DOE and NAM seek to provide companies with streamlined access to the tools and technologies, such as technical assistance, a consolidated user-friendly library of tools, and a roadmap necessary to implement an effective energy management program, that will allow for increased commercial deployment of clean, efficient technologies.

“Entering into this partnership with DOE to increase energy efficiency builds on the unique strength of American manufacturers as the world’s leaders in energy efficiency and conservation,” Engler said. “Energy efficiency is an important contributor to our future energy security. Building upon manufacturers’ leadership in this area doesn’t just make energy and economic sense, but common sense.”

DOE offers a range of tools, training, and other resources to enable manufacturers to identify opportunities for energy savings. According to the DOE, if the U.S. industrial sector were to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent in 10 years, the U.S. could save 8.4 quadrillions of energy, an amount equal to heating every U.S. household for one year. As part of DOE’s “Save Energy Now” campaign, energy experts using DOE software identified nearly $500 million in potential energy savings at 200 of the most energy-intensive manufacturing plants in the country in 2006. Building on this campaign, DOE said it welcomes the partnership with NAM, which represents 11,000 large and small manufacturers in every industrial sector, representing over 200,000 facilities throughout the U.S.

For tips on lowering the energy intensity of manufacturing facilities, visit www.energysavers.gov.

Publication date: 07/16/2007