‘Better Buildings, Better Plants’ Initiative Offers New Tools and Recognition Opportunities

The Save Energy Now LEADER initiative is being transitioned into a program with a new name, as well as new tools and opportunities for recognition. The “Better Buildings, Better Plants” (BBBP) program, which will officially launch Dec. 1, offers two tracks for Save Energy Now LEADER companies and future participants: one track for those who want to continue with their impressive activities toward meeting the pledge requirements of improving energy intensity by 25% over a ten-year period, and another track for those who are up for even greater challenges and energy-savings rewards.

DOE LEADER Program Identifies Over $1.6 Billion in Savings

More than 100 companies signed the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Save Energy Now LEADER pledge since the program’s launch in December 2009. Through this pledge, companies committed to improve their energy intensity by 25% or more within 10 years (25-in-10). In return, participating manufacturers receive technical assistance and information about financial resources to support their 25-in-10 goal. In less than two years, the LEADER program has accomplished much:

• More than 3,000 assessments have been performed, identifying over $1.6 billion in energy cost savings.
• More than two-thirds of LEADER participants have met or exceeded the annualized target of 2.5% energy improvement.
• Six LEADER companies have already surpassed their 10-year goals.  
• The initiative has fostered constructive partnerships between participating manufacturers and DOE’s Office of Advanced Manufacturing (AMO) (formerly known as the Industrial Technologies Program). In turn, AMO has helped numerous industrial plant managers improve energy efficiency in their facilities with impressive results.

Better Buildings, Better Plants

Building upon its success with Save Energy Now LEADER, and in an effort to align itself with the White House’s Better Buildings Initiative, DOE is adapting the LEADER framework to appeal to a broader, multi-sector base of participants and increase energy savings in U.S. industry. The new partnership, called “Better Buildings, Better Plants” (BBBP), launches Dec. 1, 2011, and seeks to:

• Achieve greater and more rapid adoption of energy-efficient technologies, practices, and management approaches throughout the industrial sector
•  Assist a broader set of industrial organizations to pursue cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities
• Leverage resources and provide additional tools to grow the industrial energy efficiency marketplace
• Stimulate investment in the U.S. manufacturing sector, create and retain jobs, and promote broad-based economic growth

BBBP’s Two Tracks

Through BBBP, all current LEADER companies retain the energy savings commitments that they made with the original program. In addition, each company may choose to participate in one of two BBBP designations: the “Better Buildings, Better Plants Partner” or the “Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge.”

Track 1: Better Buildings, Better Plants Partner

Under BBBP Partner, the core program requirements will be unchanged from the LEADER Program. Program Partners will work toward the 10-year, 25% energy intensity improvement and will receive national recognition for their achievements. Per the pledge requirements, participants will maintain their baselines and report annually on the progress toward their respective targets. All participants will retain access to a Technical Account Manager (TAM), but the role of the TAMs will be more focused on establishing and analyzing key energy use data and metrics. In-plant trainings will continue and the AMO’s portfolio of online tools will be upgraded and made available in a more dynamic and user-friendly website.

Track 2: Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge

In addition to the BBBP Partner requirements, Challenge participants also will pursue innovative approaches toward energy efficiency and make a significant, near-term investment in an energy-saving project or set of projects.

Transparency will be a key component of the Better Buildings, Better Plants Challenge. By sharing information about how Challenge partners save energy, Challenge partners will help other companies successfully replicate such projects. 3M, a LEADER company that opted to join the BBBP Challenge, has been recognized for pursuing industrial energy efficiency for more than 30 years. For 3M’s corporate energy manager, Steve Schultz, the decision to participate in the Challenge was an easy one, explaining: "3M is excited to become one of the first members of the Better Buildings Challenge. In light of the fact that we have already improved the energy efficiency of 3M operations worldwide by an astounding 46 percent over the past decade, this program compliments and supports our ongoing efforts to continuously improve energy efficiency, even as we collaborate and share successful approaches with other businesses."

More on Better Buildings, Better Plants

To learn more about the BBBP program, visit DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy website.