If you thought we were excited last year when the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency named us an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year, imagine when we found out we were named a 2013 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year for Sustained Excellence – an award bestowed among those companies that build upon their energy management success.
As far as energy recognition goes, this is the highest a corporation can achieve, and we are thrilled to be listed among the best.
“Everyone involved – from executives to the plant level – understands the importance of a solid energy efficiency strategy,” said Al Hildreth, General Motors company energy manager. “With tactics for conserving energy built into our day-to-day operations, it has become a standard aspect of our manufacturing process.”
Since being recognized last year, we’ve made great strides to improve our energy record. This includes adding to the number of plants that met the EPA’s Challenge for Industry — 30 to 54 — which led to more than $90 million – we repeat, million – in energy costs savings, while eliminating enough CO2 to power a city the size of New Orleans.
On top of that, our Lansing Delta Township facility has received ENERGY STAR® certification, with (spoiler alert!) a handful of other plants to be named in the coming weeks.
In 2012, GM’s U.S. operations reduced energy intensity by 11 percent resulting in the avoidance of 280,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent and over $20 million in energy cost. This equates to the greenhouse gas emissions of 55,000 vehicles and is comparable to the electricity use of 35,000 homes, or planting 7 million trees.
“EPA is recognizing General Motors for earning EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award – the 2013 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award,” said Bob Perciasepe, Acting Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. “GM leads the field with their commitment to energy efficiency and demonstrates how all Americans can save energy, save money, and create a healthier environment.”
When you think of energy efficiency, large automakers rarely come to mind. But the work General Motors does is helping to change that perception. Integrating it into a sustainable business practice benefits the company and the environment alike.
I am proud to say that I have been involved in many projects with GM that have helped with this type of recognition. My employer has been involved with projects whereas being environmentaly/GREEN concious is one of our main goals. LEED projects such as the ones we have done for GM and other clients are one that put our company out there as a leader in our field in this respect.
Congrats on being recognized for this award and I feel GM should, in the acceptance memos to all concerned, make recognition of the A&E firms that have helped them achieve this prestigious award.
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment, Thomas.
We are appreciative of all of the work our partners do for us, and we strive to recognize them whenever possible.