Ash Grove plants awarded ENERGY STAR

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) have awarded Ash Grove Cement Company’s manufacturing plants in Durkee, Ore., and Leamington, Utah the 2009 ENERGY STAR® for their successful efforts to protect the environment and improve energy efficiency.

“Ash Grove is honored to be recognised by EPA and DOE for the innovative solutions our team has implemented to conserve energy and improve efficiency,” said Ash Grove Chairman Charles T. Sunderland.  “Ash Grove’s energy management approach is an important component of our commitment to environmental stewardship and an integral part of our long-term business strategy.”

Just 26 individual cement plants in the United States have received ENERGY STAR awards from EPA and DOE since the program began in 1992.  This is the first award for the Durkee and Leamington plants.  Ash Grove’s Chanute, Kan., and Seattle, Wash. plants received the ENERGY STAR award in 2006, 2007 and 2008.  

Ash Grove’s energy management process (AGem) has been implemented at all operating facilities and is committed to acquiring and using energy in the most efficient, cost effective and environmentally responsible manner possible in order to minimise the company’s carbon footprint. AGem’s 2012 target is to reduce thermal energy use by 17% per ton of cement produced and electrical energy use by 10% per ton of cement produced. 

The ENERGY STAR program is a joint government initiative between the EPA and DOE that focuses on strategic energy management and emphasises the importance of demonstrating environmental leadership for future generations.

Other plants in the US to have been awarded the ENERGY STAR include Holcim (US) Inc.’s Devil's Slide plant in Morgan, Utah, Theodore plant in Theodore, Alabama, and Midlothian plant in Midlothian, Texas, as well as Cemex’s Clinchfield, Louisville, Demopolis, and Wampum, Pa. plants.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/05082010/ash_grove_plants_awarded_energy_star/