U.S. Industrial Sector Stands Alone in Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Driven by Energy Efficiency Improvements, Industrial is the Only U.S. Sector Whose GHG Emissions Are Falling; More Progress Ahead

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Materials Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA), a group of energy-intensive, trade-exposed industries (EITEs) that includes The Aluminum Association, the American Chemistry Council (ACC), the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), and Portland Cement Association (PCA) today reported that between 1990 and 2008, industrials was the only sector of the U.S. economy in which greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions fell.  By contrast, during the same time period, GHG emissions rose in the commercial, electricity, residential, transportation and agricultural sectors.  Last week the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that U.S. industrial GHG emissions fell more than three percent in 2009 – an "unprecedented" reduction for the industrial sector for a single year. (http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/environment/emissions/carbon/?featureclicked=1&)

Driven largely by energy efficiency improvements, U.S. industrial GHG emissions fell 5.9 percent between 1990 and 2008. Meanwhile, commercial GHG emissions went up 36.9 percent, electricity increased 30 percent, residential increased 27.3 percent, transportation increased 21.6 percent and agriculture increased 11.3 percent.  (U.S. Energy Information Administration, "Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the U.S., 2008.")

"We're proud of the industrial sector's proven record of enhancing energy efficiency and reducing GHG emissions, and we're committed to further improvement," said Cal Dooley, ACC president and CEO.  "Just last week, we honored twelve member companies  for implementing energy-efficiency improvements in 2009 that saved enough energy to power all the homes in a city the size of Dayton, Ohio, for one year." (http://www.americanchemistry.com/10939)

"Use of chemistry products in renewable energy and energy efficiency applications such as solar panels, wind turbines, building insulation and lightweight vehicles helps the rest of society save energy and reduce their GHG emissions, too." (http://www.americanchemistry.com/climatestudy).

"We've taken the initiative to improve performance in energy efficiency, and we've reduced GHG emissions well beyond what would have been required under any international agreement," Tom Gibson, president and CEO of the American Iron and Steel Institute, said.  "Since 1990, the steel industry has reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 33 percent. Before the onset of the recession, we were making more steel in the U.S. than we had ever before and we were doing it with less energy and fewer emissions."

"Energy efficiency is a smart strategy to help improve the environment while reducing operating costs and retaining good American jobs," said Donna Harman, president and CEO of the American Forest and Paper Association.  "America's forest products industry embraced renewable energy early on and today generates two-thirds of our own power on site from carbon-neutral, renewable biomass.  Our members have reduced their greenhouse gas emissions per ton of product by 14 percent since 2000, and while we are proud of the accomplishments we've made so far, we can achieve more with the right policies that protect our international competitiveness."

"We're proud of the improvements that our members have made in reducing their carbon footprints. The products that come from aluminum are contributing to energy savings and our manufacturing facilities are increasingly efficient," stated Aluminum Association President Steve Larkin.

"The United States cement industry is dedicated to producing a superior product while addressing challenging manufacturing policies and procedures to improve energy efficiency.  This not only impacts our emissions and costs, but makes our communities better places," said Brian McCarthy, Portland Cement Association president and CEO.  "The actions taken by our plants are at the forefront of manufacturing technology and position the industry as a key contributor to the development of the latest energy expertise." (http://www.cement.org/smreport09/)

The Aluminum Association: www.aluminum.org

American Chemistry Council: www.americanchemistry.com

American Forest & Paper Association: www.afandpa.org

American Iron and Steel Institute: www.steel.org

Portland Cement Association: www.cement.org

SOURCE American Materials Manufacturing Alliance (AMMA)