Toyota Wins 2008 Energy Star Award

Kudos to Toyota! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), with a 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence Award last month in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency.

Toyota has been an Energy Star partner since 2003, and was honored for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency and management across its ten manufacturing operations in the U.S. Across the nation, top companies and organizations are continuing to promote energy efficiency through participation in Energy Star. Last year alone, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $16 billion on their energy bills and helped reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

"Protecting the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emission while improving energy efficiency is a top priority of our team members," said Steve St. Angelo, TEMA Senior Vice President. "Our commitment to the environment is a strong business case that not only helps our bottom line, but demonstrates our goal to be the most admired in town in the communities where we do business."

Examples of energy improvement at Toyota's U.S. facilities include:
* Replacing plant lights with new technology efficient lights, saving $500,000 annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 10,242 metric tons, equal to 730 homes.
* Reducing weekend and non-production energy usage, saving $103,000 annually and reducing CO2 emissions by 1,596 metric tons, equal to 115 homes.
* Reducing water use during the paint process, saving $185,000 annually and reducing water use by 50 gallons per vehicle.

Since 2002, Toyota has reduced its overall energy usage per vehicle by 21 percent and CO2 emissions per vehicle by 20 percent, equals to 17,000 homes. These overall energy savings equate to savings of $26 million.

The EPA 2008 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the Energy Star program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 9,000 organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

"We are proud to recognize Toyota's continued efforts with the 2008 Energy Star Sustained Excellence award," said Robert J. Meyers, principal deputy assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air & Radiation. "Year after year partners like Toyota are examples of the benefits of a long-term commitment to energy efficiency. Their actions are leading the way in saving energy and helping to protect the environment."

What is Energy Star? Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are Energy Star partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about Energy Star, visit www.energystar.gov.


By Brandy Schaffels
AskPatty Editor