Source: California Portland Cement Co.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded CalPortland the National 2009 Energy Star Award for Sustained Excellence in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting the environment through energy efficiency. CalPortland's accomplishment over five consecutive years is a feat that has never been matched by any other U.S. building materials company.

In 2008, CalPortland reduced overall energy intensity by 6.5 percent compared to 2007. This resulted in a reduction of 775.6 million kBtu or a CO2 emission reduction of 75,234 metric tons. The decreased energy intensity saved the company more than $3 million.

All three of CalPortland's cement plants scored in the top 20 percent of cement facilities nationally based on Energy Star's EPI benchmarking tool. This was accomplished through comprehensive energy assessments, a strong energy management organization, employee outreach at all levels and best practice replication.

In 2008, CalPortland's Mojave Plant completed a "behind-the-meter" wind project that represents the largest such renewable wind project serving a manufacturing facility in the world to date. Eight three-megawatt wind turbines (24 Megawatts total) generate 60 million kWh/yr of renewable wind energy and supply approximately 35 percent of the plant’s electricity needs each year. This is a reduction of over 42,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions which is the equivalent of powering 5,255 homes for a year.

CalPortland has doubled the size of its operations in the past three years and its energy management system has grown as well to accommodate these new facilities. The company actively participates in Energy Star’s cement industry focus and ranks its cement plants' energy efficiency nationally using the Energy Star energy performance indicator.

The EPA also honored CalPortland’s Colton, Calif., plant with its Energy Star Award for 2008 in recognition for its outstanding contributions to Leadership in Energy Management. This is the third consecutive award received by the Colton Plant. To qualify for the award, a cement plant must receive a minimum score of 75 of a possible 100 on the Energy Performance Indicator and show continual compliance with other environmental regulations. The Colton plant's score for 2008 was a perfect 100.