DOE to Work with National Association of Manufacturers to Increase Industrial Energy Efficiency
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Samuel W. Bodman announced on June 12 that the agency will increase cooperation among U.S. industry and energy efficiency experts through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM).
Specifically, this MOU includes a variety of activities that seek to assist manufacturing facilities in implementing an energy management program; adopt clean, efficient technologies; and achieve continual energy efficiency and intensity reduction improvements.
"Increasing energy efficiency is not only good practice, but it can also be good business," Bodman said. "The agreement between DOE and NAM represents a significant commitment between government and the private sector to help curb our nation's energy use and enhance energy security while also reducing emissions."
The MOU states that DOE and NAM agree to share their specific expertise to create a consolidated catalog of tools and technologies, as well as a website for access to tools and services. DOE and NAM seek to provide companies with streamlined access to the tools and technologies, such as technical assistance, a consolidated user-friendly library of tools, and a roadmap necessary to implement an effective energy management program that will allow for increased commercial deployment of clean, efficient technologies.
"Entering into this partnership with DOE to increase energy efficiency builds on the unique strength of American manufacturers as the world's leaders in energy efficiency and conservation," NAM President John Engler said. "Energy efficiency is an important contributor to our future energy security Building upon manufacturers' leadership in this area doesn't just make energy and economic sense, but common sense."
DOE offers a wide range of tools, training and other resources to help manufacturers to identify opportunities for energy savings. As part of DOE's "Save Energy Now" campaign, energy experts using DOE software identified nearly $500 million in potential energy saving at 200 of the most energy-intensive manufacturing plants in the United States in 2006.
NAM represents 11,000 large and small manufacturers in every industrial sector, representing more than 200,000 facilities throughout the United States.
For tips on lowering the energy intensity of manufacturing facilities, visit the Energy Savers Web site (http://www.energysavers.gov) or call DOE's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Hotline at 1-877-337-3463.
This article originally appeared in the 06/01/2007 issue of Environmental Protection.