SEEA and Eastman Chemical Company Partner to Promote Energy Efficiency
KINGSPORT, Tenn., May 17, 2011 - The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) partnered with Eastman Chemical Company in hosting a day-long meeting on May 11 to promote energy efficiency practices in manufacturing facilities. Eighty representatives from twenty-five different companies and regional power providers met at Kingsport's Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing.
SEEA helps manufacturers to operate with a higher degree of energy efficiency through a program called the SEEA Industrial Coalition which encourages manufacturers from across the Southeastern United States to share best practices in energy management. This first-of-its kind initiative also promotes technologies, policies and resources to further support energy efficiency deployment. Installations of such energy saving measures can reduce green house gas emissions, create local jobs and reduce costs in the individual manufacturing facilities, allowing them to remain competitive in the global market.
"A wealth of energy efficiency knowledge already exists among the manufacturers in the Southeast and the SEEA Industrial Coalition provides a platform for the energy teams at each company to network with one another and exchange ideas about successful management of energy resources," says Rick Marsh, Industrial Program Manager for SEEA. "Eastman has been a key partner in SEEA's program, bringing information to the group while actively engaging with other companies in the region to both share and learn. Eastman's commitment to energy management is impressive."
"I'm very pleased that the SEEA accepted our invitation to hold this meeting in Kingsport to bring together manufacturers from several states as well as those local to the Kingsport area. I believe we can all enhance our energy programs and be better stewards of our resources by sharing our practices with each other," said Sharon Nolen, Eastman's Corporate Energy Program manager. "Eastman's energy management program has produced significant energy efficiency gains over the years but we continue to look for opportunities to further strengthen our energy program. Aligning with SEEA has proven to be a great opportunity to benchmark with other manufacturing companies and learn about resources."
Representatives from Eastman provided presentations about the company's energy management program and several specific projects completed at the Kingsport facility culminating in a tour of the plant for attendees. Additionally, representatives from Toyota, Saint-Gobain, Buckeye Technologies, Nissan, Mohawk and Ingersoll Rand shared information about project identification, funding and execution; energy management techniques; and the successes and benefits from an increased focus on energy efficiency
About SEEA
The Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) promotes
energy efficiency for a cleaner environment, a more prosperous
economy, and a higher quality of life in the Southeastern region of
the United States. www.seealliance.org. For specific
information about the SEEA Industrial Coalition, visit seeaindustrial.org or
contact SEEA's Industrial Program Manager, Rick Marsh, at
[email protected].Â
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