SKOKIE, Ill. – On April 28, 2009, the CalPortland Company, plant in Mojave, Calif., received the Energy Efficiency Award from the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Cement Americas magazine as part of the 2009 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards.  The award was presented at PCA’s Spring Meeting in Chicago.

The Energy Efficiency award recognizes a plant’s energy planning, applications of efficiency technologists and practices, and climate change mitigation efforts.   In addition, the plant was recognized as a runner-up in the Innovation category that recognizes cement industry leaders in the development and application of innovation technologies and techniques relevant to environmental protection or energy efficiency.

The CalPortland Company Mojave plant has an efficiency program that has resulted in major energy reductions, saved thousands of dollars, and prevented the emission of tens of thousands of tons of carbon dioxide. In 2008, the plant completed a “behind-the-meter” wind project that represents the largest such renewable wind project servicing a manufacturing facility in the world to date. Eight 3-megawatt wind turbines were generate 60 million kilowatts per year of renewable energy and supply approximately 35 percent of the plant’s annual electricity needs.  This is the equivalent of powering 5,255 homes for a year.

“Finding ways to reduce both energy needs and reliance on fossil fuels is a top priority for cement companies,” said Brian McCarthy, PCA president/CEO. “Practices like those at the Mojave plant put this commitment into action.”

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, PCA presents a special honor to a plant demonstrating excellence in multiple categories.

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 2009 awards represent independent groups such as Cement Americas magazine, the Cement Association of Canada, the U.S. Geological Survey, National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Cement Sector Program, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Program.

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. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.