WASHINGTON - One year ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) challenged the manufacturing industry to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities by 10 percent or more within five years. Since that time, 240 manufacturing sites have responded to the Energy Star Challenge for Industry and 34 sites have improved their energy efficiency by 10 percent or more.

“Energy efficiency is a wise investment,” said Gina McCarthy, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation. “EPA and Energy Star are there to help companies protect public health and the environment by reducing emissions, and save money by saving energy.”

Both small and large manufacturing facilities have met the milestone and have prevented nearly 119,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, demonstrating that efficiency opportunities exist across all sectors of industry including aerospace, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and motor vehicle manufacturing, said EPA. Many of these sites also reported that savings were achieved at low cost by strengthening energy management practices and improving operations with help from EPA’s Energy Star program.

Under the challenge, manufacturing sites establish an energy intensity baseline, set a 10 percent energy efficiency improvement goal, implement energy efficiency projects, track energy use, and verify their savings.

According to EPA, the U.S. manufacturing industry is responsible for nearly 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and spends nearly $100 billion annually on energy. If the energy efficiency of industrial facilities improved by 10 percent, EPA estimates businesses would save nearly $10 billion and prevent greenhouse gases emissions equal to the annual emissions of approximately 12 million vehicles.

For more information on the Energy Star Challenge for Industry, visit www.energystar.gov/industrychallenge.

Publication date: 05/09/2011