Tag: 3BL

The holidays are here again. For many of us, this time of year means gifts, gatherings, eating and good memories as we celebrate with friends and family. The trouble is, all that extra shopping, cooking and travel can add up to a big impact on the planet.

All over the world, waste increases during the holiday season. Stanford University found that Americans generate an extra 1 million tons of waste every week between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. In Ireland, where I live, we produced an estimated 97,000 metric tons of packaging waste alone last Christmas. Those are pretty serious numbers.

Luckily, there are lots of ways we can reduce our environmental footprints without making our celebrations any less special. Let’s take a look at some strategies for making sustainability part of this year’s holiday traditions.

1. Gift Smart

We all have that family member who is hard to shop for. But taking your best guess and including a gift receipt might not be the most Eco-friendly way to go. According to research from Optoro, a company that manages retailers’ returned items, returns from online shopping created 5.8 billion pounds of landfill waste in 2019. The carbon emissions from shipping those returns topped 16 million metric tons. If you’re struggling to find the right gift for someone, here are a few gift ideas that are free of wasteful materials and gift your time: cooking a special meal, planting a tree in their name, offering to clean their house for them or taking them to a show or experience.

2. Shop Locally

Speaking of shipping, online shopping can have serious environmental impacts. The transport of goods across the world is responsible for a huge amount of GHG emissions. According to a Statistic report, 37% of all e-commerce GHG emissions come from the shipping and return of products. The nonprofit Canopy also estimates that it takes 3 billion trees to produce the shipping cartons used globally each year, and of the 86 million tons of plastic packaging produced each year, less than 14% is recycled. Shopping from locally owned stores in your community not only supports your local economy, but also helps avoid the waste and the excess carbon emissions that come from transporting these goods.

3. Consider How You Travel

Christmas is one of the year’s busiest travel seasons. In the Czech Republic alone, thousands of tourists visit Prague in December for the city’s famous Christmas market, and many more trips are expected this year throughout the rest of the EU. Being conscious about how you get where you’re going is a great way to cut down on your environmental footprint. From a sustainability standpoint, driving is preferable to air travel, with mass transit options like buses and trains better still.

4. Recycle Your Old Electronics

The holidays are a great time to upgrade your old devices, with many retailers offering deals on new phones and computers. But what happens to the old ones? Instead of letting your electronics gather dust in your closet, take them to a charity that can re-purpose them, or an e-waste recycler. Stores like Best Buy can help you responsibly dispose of old cables, cartridges and more, and resources like Earth911 can help you find e-waste drop off sites for the bigger stuff. Or better yet—don’t upgrade at all! You should always look into repairing your devices before buying new ones.

5. Be Conscious of Your Food Choices

Food is a big part of all that extra holiday waste. A few simple strategies can help you get the most out of your meals. First, buy in-season foods. They don’t have to travel through a lengthy network of suppliers to reach your market, thereby incurring all kinds of GHG emissions. Plus, they taste fresher! From there, if you resist the temptation to buy more than you need, look up recipes for leftovers, and compost the food scraps from the prep process, you’ll be well on your way to an eco-friendly meal. And if there is anything left over, you can donate perishable items to a local charity. The holidays are also a great time to cut back on meat consumption. Beef production requires 20 times more land and emits 20 times more greenhouse gas emissions than common plant-based protein. Eating less meat is a simple way to make a big impact.

These are just a few of the ways you can go green this holiday season. There are no doubt more things to do in your community that can make a real impact. Let us know what you’re doing to go green this holiday season on X and LinkedIn. We wish you a happy, healthy, and Eco-friendly holiday season.

For more information on how Gen cares for the planet, learn about our efforts to provide clean and safe drinking water to rural communities, how we incentivize our employees to green their homes and how our earth-focused employee resource group Terra engages our employees on environmental action.

Science is cool anywhere, but nothing beats science outside of the classroom.

“We know by and large that kids just aren’t getting outside enough,” says Colleen Burridge, AmeriCorps director at The Science Zone, which promotes informal science education across the state of Wyoming.

“It’s more than just pushing their comfort level of being in the outdoors—we’re teaching them life lessons of pushing past limits of what they originally thought they could do.”

The Science Zone’s WYld Experiences outdoor adventure education program was established in 2020, when the Science Zone took its planned summer programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The demand from parents stuck, which was to “just get kids outside.”

The program has flourished since, covering everything from rock climbing to backpacking to kayaking.

“The kids love it. We load kids up on Monday mornings, take them to the Big Horns, the Wind Rivers or the Snowy Range for five days, and then bring them back all smelly and dirty on Friday afternoon,” says Burridge, who’s also the WYld Experiences program lead.

“We truly try to make this an accessible experience for all kids. If they don’t have an appropriate sleeping bag or tent or other supplies, we help them get outfitted with what they need. We also provide scholarships so that finances are not a barrier for participation,” adds Burridge.

Safety is the organization’s highest priority, notes Burridge. Numerous staff members are certified in wilderness first aid, and experienced guiding services are hired for activities like rock climbing.

The Science Zone, based in Casper, WY, runs an interactive science center focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM) programming and exhibits. The organization enjoys a longstanding partnership with AmeriCorps, which supports the educational mission of The Science Zone and helps to staff programs and lower cost barriers for families.

Enbridge is committed to creating vibrant and sustainable communities near our operations, and we continued our support of The Science Zone this year with a $5,000 Fueling Futures grant to support the adventure camp programming—specifically targeted at purchase of equipment, such as a high-capacity mountain bike and cargo trailer for transportation purposes.

“I’ve been working with kids for almost 40 years, and one of the things that I still hear from many former students is how much they loved the times they got to learn outside,” says Burridge. “Whether it was taking students to Yellowstone or taking students up Casper Mountain, those continue to be some of their most memorable experiences.”

Enbridge is proud to have a history of supporting the Science Zone. During the pandemic, the museum set up an online classroom to ensure kids weren’t without science for long and could still enjoy it in the comfort of their home.

When it comes to camp options, there truly is something for every kid at The Science Zone. In addition to its WYld Experiences programming, the organization offers a wide variety of camps for ages 5 through 15.

“Kids are all at different stages of being comfortable both in nature and away from home,” says Burridge. “We learned early on that it can be a big ask of an 11- or 12-year-old to keep track of their belongings and be okay with being away from home for that long.”

Those who might not be ready for a five-day trek away from home might find something like the single overnight camping trips up to Casper Mountain more up their alley. Of course, Burridge and her colleagues’ hope is that kids will eventually sign up for the four-night trip.

“If we get them to learn how to identify types of bugs and grass, that’s great,” she remarks. “But what we really want, as we look to this future generation of young people, is to provide opportunities for them to fall in love with the state of Wyoming and what gives it its beauty.

“In doing so, we believe we are also playing an important role in cultivating a desire to protect the special place that we call home.”

With over 2,200 responses globally, The Sustainability Census discloses more information than ever before about what it’s like to work in a sustainability-related profession today.

Stemming from the rich legacy of the CR Salary Survey, first launched by Acre and Carnstone in 2007, The Sustainability Census sheds light on the current challenges faced by sustainability professionals and whether employers are doing enough to help those tasked with owning or driving the sustainable change our planet so urgently needs.

“Acre has spent the past two decades supporting the growing ecosystem of sustainability professionals as the world navigates the most significant of challenges. The Sustainability Census is designed to support this most important of professions at a sliding door moment for humanity. Our hope is that the data will create efficiency by helping organisations make accurate organisational design and HR decisions,” says Andy Cartland, Founder at Acre and founding partner of the survey. “As such, this year’s survey comes at a critical junction, and we hope it creates intelligence which supports the profession’s ongoing development and growth.”

Expanding on previous years, this report unpacks the following and much more:

Do sustainability professionals feel fairly compensated for the work they do?Do sustainability professionals believe that their organisation’s sustainability targets are achievable within the timeframes set?Who owns sustainability at board level, and how are organisations structuring their sustainability functions?Are sustainability professionals receiving the backing they need to achieve their organisation’s targets – be those impact-driven, financial or both?How are sustainability professionals being compensated across the globe?

As the world leans heavily on the shoulders of the few, The Sustainability Census offers insight into the current state of the sustainability profession, offering a benchmark for navigating the challenging terrain ahead with hope.

The 2023/24 Sustainability Census is now available to download here: https://www.acre.com/thought-leadership/the-2023-slash-24-sustainability-census

About the 2023/24 Sustainability Census 

The Sustainability Census — the most comprehensive, global survey of professionals owning or driving sustainability within business and finance — aims to help capture a global snapshot of what it’s like to work in a sustainability-related profession today, and to provide individuals and businesses with a blueprint for better, more informed decision making.

Alongside Carnstone (Part of SLR), Diversity in Sustainability, Online Kenniscentrum Duurzaam Ondernemen (NL), EcoBusiness, EcoVoice, HR PSOR, Institute of Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability, Reconsidered, The Purpose Business, Women in Mining UK, Women in Sustainability and 3BL, The Sustainability Census is backed by its founding partner, Acre.

About Acre – https://www.acre.com

As the global market leader for sustainability executive search and recruitment services, exclusively focused on integrating sustainability and catalysing positive change across business, finance and energy. 

Operating from offices in London, New York, Amsterdam and Singapore, Acre became a certified B-Corp in 2022. This recognition was achieved through a high level of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. With 20 years of extensive experience, Acre’s purpose is to create systemic change for our planet and society by activating people’s potential. Its focus on sustainability gives Acre’s team of specialists an in-depth understanding of the sectors they operate in, enabling them to consult, challenge and advise their clients to create a more sustainable future and drive impact where it is needed most. This led to the team placing more than 650 leaders in over 30 countries in 2023 alone. 

Amsterdam: +31 20 808 19 00

London: +44 (0)20 7400 5570

New York: +1 929 376 3166

Singapore: +65 6016 9650

For media enquiries, please contact: marketing@acre.com.

Southern Company

Southern Company recently announced the retirement of Thomas A. Fanning as the executive chairman of its board of directors, effective Dec. 31. Concurrently, the company also announced the election of Christopher C. Womack, president and CEO, as the new chairman of the Southern Company Board of Directors, effective Dec. 31.

Chris Womack has been elected chairman of the Board of Directors of Southern Company, effective Dec. 31, 2023. Womack currently serves as president and CEO of Southern Company.

Tom Fanning will retire as executive chairman of Southern Company, effective Dec. 31.

David J. Grain, lead independent director for Southern Company, expressed the board’s support for this transition, stating, “Tom Fanning’s remarkable leadership has furthered Southern Company’s standing as one of this country’s premier energy companies. On behalf of the board of directors and the entire company, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Tom for his exceptional contributions. We are confident that Chris, with his proven track record of success and visionary leadership, will guide Southern Company to continued success in the evolving energy landscape.”

Fanning has served Southern Company with unparalleled dedication, strategic vision and unwavering commitment for more than 43 years. Under his leadership, Southern Company achieved significant milestones, experiencing remarkable growth and success across the energy industry. Fanning’s innovative thinking and ability to adapt to a rapidly evolving landscape have positioned the company as a leader in delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy to millions of customers through its subsidiaries.

“I am eternally grateful for my more than four decades of service to Southern Company, customers, communities, and its shareholders and stakeholders,” said Fanning. “I have seen first-hand what this company can accomplish, including putting into service the first new nuclear generation unit in our country in a generation, and I am confident our best chapter is still ahead.”

Elected by the board of directors in July 2010, Fanning became president of Southern Company in August 2010, a role he held until March 2023. He assumed the additional responsibilities of chairman and CEO in December 2010. As part of Southern Company’s succession plan, Fanning retired as CEO and assumed the role of executive chairman of the board of directors in May 2023. During his time with the company, Fanning held executive roles across various business disciplines, including finance, strategy, international business development and technology. As president, chairman and CEO of Southern Company, Fanning received numerous accolades, including being named one of the most influential leaders in the energy industry in the past 25 years.

Fanning also became a leading voice on matters relating to national security. For nearly a decade, he served as co-chair of the Electricity Subsector Coordinating Council, which is the principal liaison between the federal government and the electric power sector protecting the electric grid from threats that could impact national security, including cyber and physical threats as well as natural disasters. Beyond electricity, Fanning became a leader in reimagining U.S. national security in a cyber environment. His leadership was recognized by the U.S. Senate with an appointment to the Cyberspace Solarium Commission, a group tasked with developing a protection strategy for the cyberspace interests of the U.S. Furthermore, he was appointed by the White House as chairman of the advisory board to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure from both cyber and physical threats.

From 2012-2018, Fanning served on the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta and is a past chairman. He is also a past chairman of the Conference of Chairs of the Federal Reserve Banks and the Edison Electric Institute.

“Tom Fanning has been a great leader who has left an indelible mark on Southern Company. It is incumbent upon us to carry his legacy forward as One Team,” said Womack. “I am proud of this company’s history, enthusiastic about our present and excited for the opportunities ahead. We have a bright future and have developed a talented workforce ready to meet the evolving needs of customers.”

Womack, who currently serves as president and CEO of Southern Company, will assume the additional role of chairman of the board of directors, reflecting his position as a trusted leader within the organization and by the board of directors. Womack’s extensive experience in the energy industry, coupled with his deep understanding of Southern Company’s operations and strategic direction, complement his election to this new role.

“Working alongside Chris has been an honor and humbling experience,” said Fanning. “He possesses all the very best qualities you would seek in a leader. He is the ideal person to lead Southern Company into the future.”

Starting with Southern Company in 1988, Womack was elected president and a member of the board of directors in March 2023 and CEO in May 2023 following a succession of leadership roles across the Southern Company system. Womack previously served as the president and CEO of Georgia Power — the company’s largest subsidiary — and executive vice president and president of external affairs for Southern Company, where he led external positioning and branding efforts. In recognition of his career accomplishments and community involvement, Womack has received numerous honors, including being named among Black Enterprise’s 100 Most Powerful Executives in Corporate America.

Southern Company remains dedicated to delivering sustainable solutions, investing in clean energy technologies and providing exceptional service to 9 million customers nationwide through its subsidiaries.

LONDON, December 20, 2023 /3BL/ – After substantial participation at COP28 in Dubai, an expanding group of leading global sustainable forestry companies working together as the International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC), has announced the formalization of the organization.

The International Sustainable Forestry Coalition (ISFC) has successfully registered with Companies House in the United Kingdom as a not for profit Company limited by guarantee.

Three Directors of the Company are today being announced in global leadership positions.

ISFC Chair for 2024 will be Dr. David Brand, Executive Chair, New Forests.

ISFC Vice-Chair for 2024 will be Mr. Doug Long, Executive Vice President & Chief Resource Officer, Rayonier.

ISFC Treasurer for 2024 will be Mr. John Kornerup Bang, Senior Vice President, Sustainability Transformation, Stora Enso.

Executive Director of the ISFC Mr. Ross Hampton said, “There are now 13 of the world’s largest forestry companies supporting the mission of the ISFC and aiming to take a more active role in the vital conversations about the transition to a sustainable society. Our members steward and manage more than twelve and half million hectares (31 million acres) in thirty countries on all forest growing continents. The ISFC has been well received at both New York Climate Week in September and then at COP28 in Dubai. Successfully creating the UK based company will allow the group to scale up its activities and contributions to the policy processes supporting the pivot to a truly sustainable circular bioeconomy.”

Contacts

R Hampton Executive Director
International Sustainable Forestry Coalition
T +44 79393 32405 
E rhampton@isfc.world

Originally published on Built From Scratch

The Home Depot is spreading the joy of holiday through Kids Workshops at military bases coast to coast.

Kids Workshops launched in stores across the U.S. and Canada in 1997. For more than 25 years, these hands-on Kids Workshops have encouraged creativity, problem-solving, skill building and social interaction for the youngest DIYers.

This month, more than 100 families joined together for a festive Kids Workshop at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida. Parents helped their children make Christmas crafts after they gathered for the holiday tree lighting ceremony. There was also a Kids Workshop at Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California.

“We’re grateful to partner with Naval Air Station Jacksonville and Camp Pendleton to bring the magic of Kids Workshops directly to military families,” says Erin Izen, senior director of workforce programs and military relations at The Home Depot. “The Home Depot is committed to giving back to the military community, especially those families who may not be together this holiday season.”

You and your child can attend one of the free workshops by visiting your local Home Depot store on the first Saturday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon. To register, visit HomeDepot.com/Workshops.

Keep up with all the latest Home Depot news! Subscribe to our bi-weekly news update and get the top Built from Scratch stories delivered straight to your inbox.

BUFFALO, N.Y., December 20, 2023 /3BL/ – Axis 360 Apartments, through National Grid’s Electric Vehicle Make-Ready Program, has installed 18 Level 2 EV charging plugs for its residents, making it the largest EV charging installation at a multi-unit apartment complex in Western New York.

Axis 360 Management Team Member Sarah Korniczky said that tenants, many of whom are University at Buffalo students, now enjoy the convenience of charging their vehicles at their doorsteps and whenever they like. She added that National Grid and PPR Energy Solutions, the contractor that installed the charging stations, made the process easy.

“The entire process went so smoothly and quickly; it was incredible,” Korniczky said. “On our behalf, PPR completed the application for the National Grid incentives, which covered a very significant portion of the cost, including 100% of the installation costs. We’re excited to be providing this additional amenity for those who live at Axis360. And with the charging stations now in place, we’ll be able to attract new tenants.”

Korniczky echoed the sentiments of prior customers who have participated in National Grid’s program. As property owners, they know that they’re providing value to tenants, customers and visitors when they install EV charging stations at their sites. They also reap the benefits of differentiating their properties from others in a competitive housing market and establishing their businesses as environmental leaders.

National Grid’s Make-Ready Program covered more than 70% of Axis 360’s total project costs. Plus, as a future-proofing measure, Axis 360 took advantage of additional National Grid funding to add to its existing electricity infrastructure, which better prepares them to expand their charging facilities at a later date.

“Our Make-Ready Program is built for all companies and all industries, and is particularly attractive for multi-unit dwellings,” said Whitney Skeans, lead program manager of National Grid’s EV Make-Ready Program. “The Axis 360 project represents the most EV charging plugs installed at a Buffalo apartment complex to date. More importantly, it underscores the kind of innovative, forwardthinking leadership required to build a clean transportation future. And while we’re still in the beginning stages of this journey, it all starts with building the infrastructure for the vehicles that will take us there.”

More about National Grid’s Make-Ready Program 

National Grid’s Upstate New York EV Make-Ready Program helps business customers fund up to 100% of project costs related to installing electricity infrastructure. Projects like Axis 360’s demonstrate how National Grid collaborates with customers toward a shared, clean energy transition.

Projects like this also align with New York State’s climate action initiatives that call for reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality and zero-emission vehicle regulations by 2035. New York State provided additional support to meet these goals in November when it announced additional infrastructure funding to accelerate electric vehicle adoption and stimulate $4 billion in EV charging infrastructure investments.

More information about National Grid’s EV Make-Ready Program is available in this downloadable brochure, or by emailing EVNationalGridUNY@nationalgrid.com.

About National Grid 

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.

In collaboration with Feed the Children and Detroit Public Schools, Frito-Lay supported 400 Detroit Public School students and their families through a drive-thru food distribution event earlier this Fall. In a time when 1 in 6 children in the U.S. faces food insecurity, this initiative takes on profound significance. Families attending the event received a 25-pound box of food, a 15-pound box of essential household items, a 5-pound box of personal care products, and additional contributions from Frito-Lay, Quaker, PepsiCo beverages and Kroger.

As lower-income families grapple with the ongoing challenges of rising prices and economic uncertainty, this collaborative effort becomes even more critical. The event kicked off the fourth consecutive year of the Building the Future Together program, an initiative cofounded by Frito-Lay and Feed the Children to alleviate childhood hunger and support students and their families in underserved communities. Through this program, school districts in seven markets around the U.S., including Detroit, receive vital resources such as shelf-stable food items, school supplies, personal care products and books to ensure that young minds have the nourishment and tools they need to thrive academically and beyond. Since its inception, the program has supported nearly 500 schools and provided nearly 1.5 million pounds of food and resources to families in need.

MEMPHIS, Tenn., December 20, 2023 /3BL/ – This year, FedEx Freight will deliver the 300,000th tree for the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation’s annual Trees for Troops® program. The milestone tree is set to arrive at Fort Liberty on Dec. 1, 2023, alongside nearly 16,000 trees slated for families at over 90 military bases across the United States this December.

“Every year, the FedEx Freight team puts in tireless effort to support Trees for Troops and the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation. This milestone 300,000th tree delivery is a direct reflection of our dedication to both causes,” said Lance Moll, President and CEO, FedEx Freight. “Through our industry-leading transportation network, we are honored to give back to local communities and military families whose values have always been closely tied to the core mission of our company.”

Since 2005, FedEx Freight has supported the Trees for Troops program, an initiative that delivers farm-grown Christmas trees to domestic and international U.S. military bases. This long-standing collaboration has become a cherished tradition for FedEx Freight, with drivers logging over 600,000 miles for tree deliveries over the years.

“This program started on a crazy idea and started small. We delivered 4,300 trees to only five bases that first year,” said Wendy Richardson, Chair of the Christmas Spirit Foundation Board of Trustees. “It’s hard to believe we’re now going to exceed 300,000 total trees since we began working with FedEx 19 years ago. The commitment and dedication of all involved is truly inspiring. We love providing Christmas spirit to the men and women and their families in our military, one tree at a time.”

Trees for Troops kicks off Nov. 27, as hundreds of donors and volunteers come together to help make this effort a success. There are two ways the public can support Trees for Troops:

Donate a tree for delivery to a base at one of the official Trees for Troops locations. Some locations offer online tree purchase options for shopper convenience. Donated trees must be purchased by Dec. 3, to ensure pick-up and delivery by FedEx Freight.Visit the Trees for Troops website to donate online, and follow Trees for Troops on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

A full list of participating locations can be found at treesfortroops.org.

FedEx Freight participates with the Trees for Troops program as part of FedEx Cares, the company’s global community engagement program. For more information on how FedEx team members around the globe “Drive forward. Give back.” by volunteering and doing countless acts of caring throughout the year, check out fedexcares.com.

About FedEx Freight

FedEx Freight, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX), is a leading provider of priority, premium, and economy less-than-truckload (LTL) freight services, simplifying large and bulky shipping in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., FedEx Freight is at the forefront of innovation, offering customers total convenience and efficiency. With expanded service offerings like FedEx Freight Direct, shipments can be safely delivered to and through the door for residences and businesses. Team members across the network are dedicated to delivering the ultimate customer experience through exceptional service, reliability, and on-time performance, as well as giving back to the communities where they live and work. For more information, visit fedex.com/about.

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenue of nearly $90 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions through operating companies competing collectively, operating collaboratively and innovating digitally as one FedEx. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

About the Christmas SPIRIT Foundation and Trees for Troops®

The Christmas SPIRIT Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization that works to recognize and support the true spirit of Christmas through programs like Trees for Troops®. The foundation was established in 2005 and is among fewer than five percent of U.S. charities to be awarded the “Best in America” seal of excellence by Independent Charities of America. To learn more visit www.christmasspiritfoundation.org.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has honored five Marathon Petroleum refineries and a company office building for achieving superior energy efficiency. These facilities recently earned 2023 ENERGY STAR® certifications from the EPA, reflecting energy performance in the top 25% of similar facilities across the U.S. Since refineries first became eligible for ENERGY STAR certification in 2006, Marathon Petroleum has received more certifications than all other refining companies combined. 

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has confirmed five Marathon Petroleum Corporation (MPC) refineries are among the most energy efficient facilities of their kind in the country. MPC’s Anacortes, Washington; Canton, Ohio; Garyville, Louisiana; Robinson, Illinois; and St. Paul Park, Minnesota, refineries earned 2023 ENERGY STAR® certifications from the EPA, placing them in the top 25% of peer facilities across the U.S.

“Improving the energy performance of our nation’s industrial plants is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Cindy Jacobs, Chief of the ENERGY STAR Commercial & Industrial Branch. “EPA applauds the commitment to energy efficiency demonstrated by ENERGY STAR certified plants.”

Refinery certification requires achieving energy efficiency that’s better than 75% of similar facilities based on the Solomon Energy Intensity Index™ and establishing a track record of excellent environmental compliance. A professional engineer must also verify the accuracy of the information used to calculate a plant’s energy performance score. This year’s honors recognize performance throughout 2022 and add to multiple certifications these five refineries have received over the years:

Canton and Garyville – 18th consecutive certifications; every year refineries have been eligibleRobinson – sixth consecutive certification; ninth overallSt. Paul Park – fifth consecutive certification; sixth overallAnacortes – fourth consecutive and overall certification

The performance of these refineries helped reduce 2022 energy use in MPC’s Refining organization by about 20 billion British thermal units per day from baseline levels, roughly the same energy consumption as 48,500 homes in a year. Since refineries became eligible for ENERGY STAR certification in 2006, MPC has earned more certifications than all other refining companies combined.

“Improving the energy performance of our nation’s industrial plants is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.”

Additional efficiency

MPC’s San Antonio, Texas, office building also earned a 2023 ENERGY STAR certification as a commercial building, which was its fourth consecutive certification. Certified commercial buildings also must achieve energy efficiency in the top 25% of similar U.S. facilities, meaning an ENERGY STAR score of 75 or higher as calculated with the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® tool. MPC’s 659,000-square-foot structure received a score of 81.

EPA began the ENERGY STAR program in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. In operating more efficiently, ENERGY STAR certified commercial buildings and industrial plants also help lower combustion-related, greenhouse gas emissions at the electric plants that supply power to them by requiring less electricity to be generated.