Exelon Achieves 16% Facility-wide Energy Use Reduction
Company on track to meet targeted 25 percent energy reduction commitment by 2012 as part of strategy to reduce emissions, address climate change
CHICAGO (May 26, 2009) – As part of its ongoing effort to address climate change, Exelon announced today that, as of the end of 2008, it had reduced energy use across its facilities by 16 percent from 2001 levels, and is on track to meet its goal of a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption by 2012.
The total reduction to date of 113,000 MBTU (million British thermal units) represents more than 19,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions – or enough electricity to meet the average annual energy needs of over 1,700 homes.
Greening its operations is one of the key elements of Exelon’s environmental and business strategy, Exelon 2020: A Low-Carbon Roadmap. Exelon 2020 sets a goal of reducing, offsetting or displacing the equivalent of the company’s 2001 carbon footprint by 2020. The Exelon family of companies, including Exelon Generation, ComEd and PECO, made its facilities across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic more energy efficient through a combination of large-scale remodeling projects and smaller initiatives, including:
* Conducting energy audits across its facilities to determine the greatest opportunities for improvements;
* Replacing or reconditioning heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with new, higher efficiency systems;
* Replacing traditional lighting with compact fluorescent bulbs and energy-efficient LED lighting systems; and
* Installing motion sensors in conference rooms and offices to turn lights out automatically when rooms are not occupied.
“As a large company that operates hundreds of facilities, we were confident that we could identify cost-effective emissions reduction opportunities by looking at energy usage across our own operations and setting some aggressive reduction goals,” said Ruth Ann M. Gillis, executive vice president of Exelon and president of Exelon Business Services Company. “We hope that Exelon’s success shows other companies how making small changes can make a big difference. Like all businesses, Exelon is watching our costs, but we are confident that investing in energy efficiency will save the company money in the long run and help the environment.”
The company recently announced that it reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 35 percent from 2001 levels, an achievement confirmed by the U.S. EPA Climate Leaders Program, and including the energy reductions at the more than 125 facilities Exelon operates.
When possible, Exelon uses the LEED certification guidelines of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to guide its energy-efficiency efforts. In fact, Exelon now has three LEED-certified facilities including its corporate headquarters in Chicago (LEED Platinum for Commercial Interiors); its Fairless Hills Renewable Education Center (LEED Silver) and its West Chester location in Pennsylvania (LEED Silver) – among the most LEED-certified locations of any individual company in the U.S. At its corporate headquarters – the largest office space in the world to earn LEED’s highest rating – Exelon has reduced its energy usage by more than 50 percent at less than a five percent cost premium, and is on track to recoup its investment in green features by 2012.
Exelon works with a portfolio of suppliers who share its commitment to energy efficiency and a green supply chain. Among its partners for the renovation of its LEED-certified headquarters is HJKessler Associates, nationally recognized for its LEED expertise.
“Exelon’s energy reduction initiative demonstrates the significant changes that companies can make to reduce energy usage as part of a larger sustainability strategy,” said Helen J. Kessler, FAIA, LEED A.P., of HJKessler Associates. “In addition to the benefit of cost savings, such programs also help businesses become more environmentally friendly by reducing their own carbon footprint.”
Exelon also empowers its employees with the information and tools they need to make reduce energy usage not only in the workplace but also at home. The company offers tips on energy efficiency, recycling and even water consumption to help employees lead a low-carbon lifestyle.
Other efforts to green Exelon’s operations include increasing the energy efficiency of its vehicle fleets, engaging its suppliers to create an industry-leading green supply chain; and procuring renewable energy to offset a portion of its energy consumption. Exelon is also providing its ComEd and PECO utility customers with energy-efficiency programs and information that allows them to reduce their electricity bill and help the environment.
Source: Exelon
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