The Rillito Cement Plant owned by CalPortland, has earned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) ENERGY STAR certification, which signifies that the industrial plant performs in the top 25 percent of similar facilities nationwide for energy efficiency and meets strict energy efficiency performance levels set by the EPA. This is the 13th year that the Rillito Cement Plant has earned the ENERGY STAR, reflecting a legacy of continued energy savings.

“CalPortland is proud that the Rillito Cement Plant has earned the ENERGY STAR certification,” said William Jerald, Director of Energy and Sustainability. “It is a testament to our ongoing commitment to energy efficiency and sustainability, and to keeping the plant performing among the top 25 percent of cement plants in the United States.”

ENERGY STAR certified plants use less energy than similar plants, result in fewer emissions, and are less expensive to operate than their peers on an energy basis; they also have met strict requirements regarding environmental compliance at the time of the certification.

CalPortland improved its energy performance by managing energy strategically across the entire organization and by making cost-effective improvements to its plant.

To earn the ENERGY STAR, CalPortland took the following actions:

  1. Installed energy metering at all process areas
  2. Replaced decades old reciprocating compressor with a new, more efficient screw compressor
  3. Replaced high-pressure sodium lamps with LED lights
  4. Upgraded housing around kiln ID fan to a more efficient design

ENERGY STAR was introduced by EPA in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. To date, tens of thousands of buildings and plants across all fifty states have earned the ENERGY STAR.

For more information about ENERGY STAR Certification for Industrial Facilities:  energystar.gov/plants