EPA Awards CalPortland Company With Sixth Consecutive ENERGY STAR(R) Sustained Excellence Award

GLENDORA, Calif., March 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded CalPortland Company a 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of its continued leadership in protecting our environment through energy efficiency.  CalPortland's accomplishments are being recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. today, March 18, 2010.

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"CalPortland is continuing our longstanding commitment to increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions through our energy management program," said Allen Hamblen, President and CEO, CalPortland. "We view our ENERGY STAR partnership as an important way to stay in the fight to improve the environment. We're proud of the sustained performance we've achieved."

"EPA is recognizing CalPortland with our highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award," said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "CalPortland's continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment."

CalPortland, an ENERGY STAR partner since 1996, is being honored at the Washington, D.C. awards ceremony for its long-term commitment to energy efficiency.  CalPortland has a comprehensive energy management organization that includes employees from the CEO to front line workers.  Recent accomplishments include:

• Reducing its total energy consumption by 27 percent and energy intensity by 2.1 percent.  Energy efficiency improvements amounted to eliminating 17,271 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the equivalent of removing over 3,300 automobiles from the road.
• Completing energy efficiency projects costing $26.2 million with estimated energy savings of 24.7 million kWh/year and $2.2 million/year.
• All three CalPortland cement plants scored in the top 2 percent of cement facilities nationally based on ENERGY STAR®'s Energy Performance Index benchmarking tool.  
• Promoting energy efficiency throughout its Energy Value Chain including suppliers and customers.  The company held an Energy Management Summit to educate its largest customers on good energy management practices.
• CalPortland generates nearly 45 million kWh/year of wind energy annually and is a member of EPA's Green Power Partnership and Climate Leaders.  

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are leading the way toward a more energy-efficient future through participation in ENERGY STAR.  Last year alone Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved $17 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 30 million vehicles.

The 2010 Sustained Excellence Awards are given to a select group of organizations that have exhibited outstanding leadership year after year. These winners have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by setting and achieving aggressive goals, employing innovative approaches, and showing others what can be achieved through energy efficiency. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 17,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

About CalPortland Company

CalPortland Company is a major producer of cement, concrete and concrete products, aggregates and asphalt in the western United States.  Founded in 1891 with the principle of providing unsurpassed quality, CalPortland remains a leader in the industry through its commitment to quality, customer service, technical support and environmental leadership.  The company maintains its headquarters in Glendora, California and operates in six states in the Western U.S. and two Canadian Territories.  For more information about CalPortland Company, visit www.calportland.com or call 626-852-2000.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 17,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).

SOURCE CalPortland Company