General Motors Accepts Energy Dept. Challenge

The U.S. Department of Energy has issued the Better Plants Challenge in a bid to improve energy efficiency. General Motors has accepted the challenge and will attempt to reduce the energy intensity of its American manufacturing plants and facilities by 25 percent in 10 years.

The Better Plants Challenge is a component of the Better Buildings Challenge, a national leadership initiative launched by President Obama in 2011 with the 10-year goal of making American commercial and industrial buildings more energy-efficient. The Better Plants Challenge involves a select group of manufacturers that make additional commitments to openly share their energy performance data and market-leading energy efficiency strategies for the betterment of all involved.

“We have 31 U.S. plants participating in the Better Plants Challenge program that have already achieved 12 percent energy intensity reduction over a 2008 baseline, putting us more than halfway to our goal,” says GM senior energy optimization engineer, Gary Londo. “We’re committed to reducing energy use in our facilities, but sharing best practices is equally important to creating a lasting impact.”

Better Buildings/Better Plants partners have committed more than 3 billion square feet and 600 manufacturing plants and facilities to energy efficiency upgrades since the initiative began. They also have shared energy performance results for more than 9,000 facilities.

“By committing to cut energy use, Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge partners are demonstrating how businesses and manufacturers are reducing our nation’s energy bill, creating American jobs, and protecting the environment. With commitments representing more than 600 plants and facilities, these partners are leading the way to a cleaner energy economy,” says assistant secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the DOE, David Danielson.