U.S. Better Buildings, Better Plants Program saves $1 billion!

The United States Energy Department recently released a list of more than 120 manufactures and businesses that are leading the charge to cut down on carbon emissions while simultaneously saving money on energy costs. The Obama Administration has already come out with the bold prediction that they'll double energy production by 2030 while simultaneously cutting costs. So far so good it seems, as the Department’s “Better Buildings, Better Plants Program” is reporting that nearly 1,800 facilities across the U.S. will save an estimated $1 billion this year.

Oh – and those businesses also happen to be cutting down on 11 million metric tons of CO2! That’s 11 million metric tons of poison we won’t be breathing in the future.

“Through the Better Plants program, American manufacturers are cutting energy waste and saving millions of dollars each year,” says Kathleen Hogan, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency. “These manufacturers are leading by example – demonstrating the promise of energy efficiency, increasing competitiveness in the private sector and reducing harmful carbon pollution.”

Across the U.S., businesses spend more than $200 billion a year to power their offices and facilities. Through the Energy Department’s Better Plants Program, businesses take a voluntary oath to reduce their consumption by 25% over the next decade. As of today, the 120 participating companies represent nearly 8% of the country’s manufacturing energy footprint.

If they can change, then anyone can change!

During today’s World Energy Engineering Congress, Hogan recognized five companies in particular – AT&T, Cummins, Metal Industries, TE Connectivity and United Technologies Corporation – for exceeding their 25% consumption reduction goal. Along with the other Better Plants participants, these companies are modeling alternative yet affordable energy management strategies that save bottom lines and strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. on the global market.

The “Better Buildings, Better Plants Program” is only one aspect of President Obama’s grander plan to make American commercial and industrial buildings at least 20% more energy efficient. His initiative also includes the Better Buildings Challenge, where businesses, universities, and local governments can agree to cut down on their energy consumption by the aforementioned 20%.

Do you own a business? Then what are you waiting for? Step up to the challenge! Or tell your boss that you know a way to save the company TONS of money over the long term. It makes for a great publicity stunt. And not to mention – you'll be doing the right thing!

So join NRGLab in helping create a better, greener future for us all. Because people come and go. The Earth is here forever.

Unites States Energy Department, Obama Administration, carbon emissions, energy production, NRGLab, Kathleen Hogan