New Superior Energy Performance (SEP) members 3M Company, Cummins Inc., General Dynamics OTS, Nissan, Schneider Electric, and Volvo Group North America from industry, and  the Bonneville Power Administration, Efficiency Vermont, and Northeast Utilities (Connecticut Light & Power Company, Yankee Gas, and NSTAR Electric & Gas) from the utility sector formally joined the Department of Energy's (DOE's) Better Buildings Industrial Superior Energy Performance (SEP) Accelerator Program on December 3. The Accelerator Program for industry and utilities will make SEP certification easier and more affordable.  By participating in the Accelerator Program company members will demonstrate cost savings enterprise-wide in their own facilities and encourage suppliers and customers up and down their supply chain to do the same.

"These companies have stepped up to help establish a new paradigm for energy efficiency in manufacturing," said Dr. Mark Johnson, Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Office at the Department of Energy. "Each has committed a starting point of at least three manufacturing plants to pursue Superior Energy Performance and to help manufacturers understand the measurable benefits that they can achieve, sustain, and expand over time with an effective energy management system. Achieving the level of Superior Energy Performance will give these companies the greatest ability to manage their energy resources and thereby maximize competitive advantage."

SEP is a DOE administered certification and recognition program that complements and supports the President's larger Better Buildings Better Plants Initiative. The U.S. Council for Energy Efficient Manufacturing (U.S. CEEM), the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and the ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board work alongside DOE to develop SEP as a transparent system for certifying improvements in energy performance and management practices.

Learn more about Superior Energy Performance and the SEP Accelerator Program.