US dairy company Dean Foods has announced that it has met the requirements for the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) ‘ENERGY STAR Challenge for Industry’ by lowering its energy intensity by 10% or more at 18 manufacturing locations nationwide.
The company had enrolled 72 of its plants in the challenge. While 148 dairy plants have taken the challenge, only seven facilities other than Dean Foods' plants have met the requirements.
Dean Foods noted that in its efforts to meet the ENERGY STAR Challenge, it has employed a number of environmentally friendly initiatives such as the use of high efficiency lighting and controls to solar heating and thermal recovery and re-use.
Dean Foods chief executive officer Gregg Tanner said that the recognition the company has received from from the EPA demonstrates the progress the company is making toward its goals to lower the environmental impact and operating costs - as well as improve the efficiency - by 2020.
The ENERGY STAR Challenge is a national initiative to improve energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings. In line with the challenge, EPA is working with Dean Foods and other companies to fight climate change through improvements in energy efficiency.