2015 was a banner year for Better Plants, with two Challenge partners and eight program partners meeting their goals of reducing energy intensity by at least 25 percent within 10 years. Their leadership brings the total number of energy goal achievers, since the start of Better Plants, to 35. An additional two Challenge partners met their goals under a new Better Plants initiative to save water, an important complement to energy efficiency since energy is used to transport and treat water.

As Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz observed in his keynote speech at the 2016 World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), “The cumulative energy savings so far through the program is over 600 trillion Btu and more than $3 billion. This year, 30 industrial organization joined Better Plants, which is actually the biggest number of any year since the program began.”

The full list of goal achievers in the last year are:

  • Cummins, an engines, fuel, and power generation manufacturer based in Columbus, IN, achieved a 45 percent reduction in water intensity.
  • Daikin Applied Americas, a HVAC systems manufacturer based in Minneapolis, MN, achieved 35 percent energy savings.
  • Expera Specialty Solutions, which makes paper products and is based in Kaukauna, WI, achieved 26 percent energy savings.
  • General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton Operation, a Falls Church, VA-based aerospace and defense company, achieved 32 percent energy savings at its Scranton, PA facility.
  • Graphic Packaging International, a commercial products packaging
    manufacturer based in Atlanta, GA, achieved 26 percent energy savings.
  • Ingevity, a chemicals manufacturer based in North Charleston, SC, achieved 26 percent energy savings.
  • Kingspan Insulated Panels, a panels and insulation products manufacturer based in DeLand, FL, achieved 32 percent energy savings.
  • Nissan North America, Inc., an automotive manufacturer based in Franklin, TN, achieved 30 percent energy savings.
  • OSRAM SYLVANIA, a lighting manufacturer based in Wilmington, MA, achieved 35 percent energy savings.
  • Sherwin-Williams, a paints and coatings manufacturer based in Cleveland, OH, achieved 28 percent energy savings.
  • United Technologies Corporation, an aerospace and building systems manufacturer, based in Hartford, CT, achieved a 43 percent reduction in water intensity.
  • Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, a wastewater treatment agency based in Victorville, CA, achieved 27 percent energy savings.

These goal achievers were also highlighted in a DOE press release and the 2016 Better Plants Progress Update.

Several goal achieving partners were recognized at an awards ceremony at the 2016 Better Buildings Summit in May. Better Plants held a special networking breakfast at the 2016 WEEC to recognize other goal achievers whose data had been verified later in the year. The breakfast brought together more than 50 Better Plants partners, prospects, and representatives from supporting programs such as the Industrial Assessment Centers.

After kickoff remarks by Dr. Mark Johnson, director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office, goal achiever representatives were invited to the stage to receive a trophy and certificate recognizing their accomplishments.

Learn more about Better Plants and its partners’ achievements by visiting the program website.