70 manufacturing plants earn EPA Energy Star certification for 2015

Seventy manufacturing plants recently gained Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2015, including nine plants that earned the distinction for the first time this year, reducing their combined greenhouse gas emissions by over 5 million metric tons.

To qualify for the program, manufacturing plants’ energy performances must be in the top 25 percent for their industries, which include the automotive, food processing, glass manufacturing and petroleum refining industries, amongst others. The results are evaluated each year, and plants’ energy performances must be independently verified.

“Energy Star certified manufacturing plants are driving the kinds of efficiencies and innovations that keep our country strong,” EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy said. “They’re proving every day that businesses can save on energy, cut down on bills, and reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions all at the same time.”

In addition to their greenhouse gas emissions reductions, which were equivalent to the annual energy usage of more than 450,000 homes, this year’s Energy Star manufacturing plants also cut their energy bills by a total of $476 million. Since the EPA started issuing Energy Star certifications, the 148 plants to earn the honor have prevented over 41 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.