10 Energy Star cement plants contribute to 6M mt CO2 emissions prevention
Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Portland Cement Association, Washington, D.C.; CMCM staff
The 86 facilities recognized in the EPA Energy Star Industrial Program—10 cement plants in eight states among them—are credited with saving more than 100 trillion Btu of energy and preventing 6 million-plus metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. The cement and peer plants earned Energy Star certification for operating in the top 25 percent of energy efficiency in the 20-sector Industrial Program universe. Participants use program indicators or benchmarks to assess performance; plants scoring 75 out of 100 or higher are certification eligible.
The GCC Pueblo cement plant in Colorado realized power savings in raw material preheating (center) and other electricity-intensive phases to attain 2022 Energy Star certification. In addition to Pueblo and a sister GCC site in South Dakota, the 2022 EPA Industrial Program recognized eight other Portland Cement Association member plants: Argos USA in Harleyville, S.C.; Ash Grove Cement in Seattle; Buzzi Unicem USA in Chattanooga, Tenn.; Cemex USA in Miami; Drake Cement in Paulden, Ariz.; Salt River Materials Group in Clarkdale, Ariz.; plus, Titan America in Medley, Fla. and Troutville, Va.
Portland Cement Association CEO Mike Ireland acknowledges the member companies behind the 10 certified plants for “devising new strategies to conserve energy and step up the U.S. cement industry’s profile as one that’s serious about minimizing its carbon footprint. All PCA member companies are making headway in developing more energy-efficient and environmentally safer products and practices, as they are all participating in our Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality.”
“Industrial leadership in energy efficiency is critical to achieving our nation’s climate goals,” adds EPA Administrator Michael Regan. “The savings from Energy Star certified plants demonstrate how energy efficiency is both helping our manufacturing sector reduce costs and propelling America’s transition to a clean energy future.”
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