SKOKIE, Ill. – On March 19, 2007, the California Portland Cement Co., cement plant in Mojave, Calif., received the Energy Efficiency Award from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine as part of the 2006 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards. The award was presented at PCA’s Spring Meeting in La Jolla, Calif.

The Energy Efficiency recognizes a plant’s energy planning, applications of efficiency technologists and practices, and climate change mitigation efforts. The Mojave plant also received this honor at the 2005 awards—the first repeat winner in the same category in the six-year history of the awards.

Despite the high bar the Mojave plant set in 2005, it continued to improve. California Portland reduced its greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 by 31,247 metric tons compared 2005. In an effort to improve efficiency and reduce emissions, they signed a 25-year contract with a wind energy company that ensures a large portion of the power consumed at the plant will be from a renewable energy source. California Portland demonstrated leadership in the promotion of energy efficiency by assuming the role of energy-efficiency ambassadors to the cement industry to encourage duplication of their efforts to save energy, emissions, and dollars. Examples of energy saving focus areas include high efficiency process improvements, electrical and lighting systems, compressed air, mechanical systems and drives, plant operations, engineering, and maintenance, and public education.

The Cement Industry Energy & Environmental Awards honor individual cement facilities that exemplify the spirit of continuous environmental improvement and support this spirit with action. These plants go beyond government regulations and local laws to ensure that their processes contributed to making their communities better places to live and work. Five categories are recognized: Outreach, Environmental Performance, Land Stewardship, Innovation, and Energy Efficiency. Additionally a special honor was presented to plants demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.

“The cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while continuously challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to minimize our environmental footprint,” said Charlie T. Sunderland, PCA chair and CEO of Ash Grove Cement Company. “The awards program recognizes these ongoing efforts.”

An award presentation will take place in Mojave later this spring.

History of the Awards
The awards program was created in 2000 by the Portland Cement Association as part of its renewed environment and energy strategic plan for the U.S. cement industry. PCA and Cement Americas magazine presented the first Cement Industry Environmental Awards in 2002 to the winners for 2001. The awards honor activities conducted during the previous calendar year, and the program is open to any cement manufacturing plant in North America. Judges for the awards represent independent groups such as PCA, Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, World Resources Institute, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the World Wildlife Fund.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.