PORTLAND, OR - The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Northwest Food Processors Association today set ambitious goals to reduce energy use and carbon emissions in the industrial sector.  DOE Industrial Technologies Program Manager Douglas Kaempf and Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) President David Zepponi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) announcing an industry-wide target of reducing energy intensity (energy use per unit of output) by 25 percent over the next ten years. This aggressive goal demonstrates the continued leadership of the Northwest region and the possibilities that exist throughout the country to reduce carbon emissions, improve American global competitiveness, protect jobs, and strengthen the domestic manufacturing sector.

“The Northwest Food Processors show tremendous foresight by making this significant dedication to improve efficiency,” said Kaempf. “The ability to do more with less is fundamental to bolstering our economy and creating a sustainable future for U.S. manufacturers.”

The MOU develops a framework to pursue a diverse range of opportunities for energy efficiency within the food processing industry and all manufacturers in the region.  The signing took place at the Northwest Industrial Energy Efficiency Summit, a day-long event including participants from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana.  Representatives from industry, government, utilities, and supporting organizations in these states were invited to provide specific ideas on how to deal most effectively with the rising costs of energy, the need to limit carbon emissions, ways to spur industrial growth, and how to stabilize employment in the Northwest manufacturing sector.

As an extension of DOE’s support, the MOU was also signed by Steven J. Wright, Administrator of Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), DOE Office of Science Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) Director Michael Kluse, and DOE’s Office of Nuclear Energy Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Deputy Laboratory Director David Hill.  DOE, BPA, both laboratories, the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance, and other regional organizations will help NWFPA meet their goal by working to deliver advanced, safe, and clean energy technologies.

The MOU directly supports Save Energy Now, DOE’s national initiative to promote and support reductions in industrial energy intensity and carbon emissions throughout the United States.  Save Energy Now energy assessments have helped U.S. manufacturing facilities save an average of 8% of their total energy costs. Plants across the country can begin the process of reducing energy intensity by applying for a no-cost energy assessment performed by a DOE Energy Expert or DOE’s university-based Industrial Assessment Centers.  The MOU demonstrates DOE’s continued assistance to the Nation’s manufacturers and industrial producers in improving their energy efficiency through innovative partnerships with national associations, state and local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and their related supply chains.  To date, the Save Energy Now industrial assessments across the country have identified more than $1 billion in potential energy savings.

Media contact(s):
Chris Kielich, 202-586-4940