Source: Cemex USA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Cemex USA a 2009 Energy Star Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. CEMEX's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 31, 2009.

An Energy Star partner since 2004, Cemex will be honored for strategic energy management and a commitment to save energy across its entire operation that resulted in significant energy and financial savings. Cemex decreased its total energy use equal to reducing 115,000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. This is equivalent to providing electricity to at least 1,500 American homes for a decade or avoiding about 21,000 passenger vehicles' CO2 emissions for a year.

The 2009 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from more than 12,000 organizations.

"This is one of the highest awards we have received from the EPA and we are honored to be among the select few," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA. "This is a testament to our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint and demonstrates great strides towards achieving this essential goal."

In 2008, five Cemex cement plants received U.S. EPA Energy Star certifications for superior energy and environmental performance: Clinchfield, Ga., Davenport, Calif., Knoxville, Tenn., Louisville, Ky., and Wampum, Pa. In 2007, three Cemex cement plants received the certifications.