Sources: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.; CP staff
Thirteen portland cement plants earned U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Certification for 2019: Alamo Cement Co., San Antonio; Argos USA, Calera, Ala. and Harleyville, S.C.; Ash Grove Cement, Seattle; Buzzi Unicem USA, Festus, Mo. and Chattanooga, Tenn.; CalPortland Co., Rillito, Ariz.; Cemex USA, Brooksville and Miami, Fla.; GCC of America, Pueblo, Colo.; Salt River Materials, Clarkdale, Ariz.; plus, Titan America, Medley, Fla. and Troutville, Va.
They are among 95 plants attaining Energy Star status in manufacturing, one of 20 EPA-defined industrial sectors for 2019 certification. Candidate operations rank in the 25 percent of energy performance among nationwide peers. Measured against mills of average performance, the 13 cement plants saved $520 million on energy bills and nearly 100 trillion British thermal units—enough to meet the annual energy needs of almost 670,000 American households. Their energy management equates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 6 million tons.
“The magnitude of these plants’ savings indicates that manufacturers in the United States have a lot to gain by investing in energy efficiency,” affirms EPA Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation Anne Idsal. “Energy management is a win/win: Saving money for manufacturers and protecting our environment.”