WASHINGTON, D.C.—Aside from being the two largest flooring producers the industry has to offer, Mohawk and Shaw now have something else in common— both have recently gained membership to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) “Save Energy Now” Leader initiative as charter members in a recent ceremony held here. The companies have voluntarily pledged to reduce their energy intensity use by 25% over the next decade.
Save Energy Now is a national initiative, designed to drive a 25% reduction in industrial energy intensity in 10 years. Sponsored by the Industrial Technologies Program (ITP) within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), the initiative is designed to reinforce energy efficiency as a profitable business model and expand markets for new energy technology. ITP is working in partnership with other federal agencies, companies, associations suppliers, states, utilities and universities to enhance industry outreach and access to resources.
As an original charter member, Shaw and Mohawk join more than 30 other companies in the pledge to reduce overall energy use. Companies within the Leader program must establish and comply with energy use base- lines as well as an energy management plan, said Rick Ramirez, Shaw’s vice president of sustainability.
“Energy efficiency is a critical component of our business model,” he added, “and we have long worked toward reducing our overall energy intensity. In addition, Shaw also has public, time- driven goals for waste and water reduction and greenhouse gas reporting.”
Senior Department of Energy officials and members of Congress participated in the Capitol Hill ceremony, which recognized a select number of companies as charter members, which along with Mohawk and Shaw, include 3M, PPG, Dow Chemical, Intel and Owens Corning.
U.S. energy secretary Steven Chu said each company’s commitment to responsible energy use not only reduces a group’s carbon footprint, but also shows the business community that the sustainable business model is profitable and effective.
“Mohawk became a charter member by understanding the value of the program and the DOE’s industrial technologies can provide to businesses,” said Marc Blanchard, the mill’s director of energy. “From my work with the DOE at a previous employer I saw a very good fit at Mohawk, as the mill’s previous achievements in energy reduction and goals align very well with DOE’s strategy on industrial energy intensity reduction.”
The Save Energy Now pledge program is designed to encourage and recognize U.S. companies that are in the vanguard of energy efficiency and “raising the bar” for all industrial facilities by establishing and achieving ambitious energy goals. Companies that sign the agreement to work toward the energy reduction tar- get will receive priority access to selected DOE resources and national recognition for their commitment and progress.
“By pledging to reduce energy intensity,” Blanchard said, “the program provides proven resources such as priority access to energy system assessments, training on financing, energy-analysis software tools and more.
It is estimated the program could reduce industrial energy consumption by more than five quadrillion BTUs. “U.S. industry consumes 32.3 quadrillion BTUs annually, about a third of all energy used in the country,” said Blanchard.
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