EPA praises Toyota’s commitment to environmental excellence

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), its 2011 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award in recognition of continued leadership in environmental protection through energy efficiency and management. TEMA received the award at a special ceremony in Washington, D.C. April 12.

"TEMA has earned EPA’s highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2011 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Elizabeth Craig, acting director of EPA’s Office of Atmospheric Programs. “TEMA’s long term leadership and commitment to energy efficiency demonstrates the types of accomplishments that we can all achieve in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting our global environment. We look forward to their continued partnership and leadership.”

Today’s recognition marks the seventh consecutive award for TEMA. Additionally, TEMA has pledged to fulfill its commitment to environmental excellence in all manufacturing facilities in the United States.

“Our objective is to manufacture vehicles in harmony with the environment, which takes a great level of responsibility and commitment,” said Robin Haugen, TEMA’s production engineering general manager. “It is thanks to our team members’ daily efforts that we are able to reduce our carbon footprint with every vehicle that rolls off our manufacturing lines year after year.”

Environmental improvements at TEMA’s facilities include:
• Reducing total energy use by 13 percent per vehicle produced since 2002 while expanding and adding new facilities;
• Reducing water usage 18 percent per vehicle since 2001 through no-cost and low-cost improvements;

Such improvements at Toyota facilities have saved over $20 million annually and reduced CO2 emissions by nearly 150,000 metric tons, the equivalent of the greenhouse gasses emitted by 19,000 homes.

Since 2006, Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations have received 18 Energy Star Plant Awards from the EPA, recognizing each plant’s energy performance over the past year and scoring in the top 25 percent of the industry.

Each year the EPA presents Sustained Excellence Awards to a select group of organizations exhibiting exceptional leadership of an ongoing nature. These winners reduced greenhouse gas emissions by achieving aggressive goals, incorporating innovative approaches and showing what can be accomplished with energy efficiency.

These awards acknowledge consistent leadership in the ENERGY STAR program, which encompasses energy-efficient products, services, housing and buildings among commercial, industrial and public sectors.

Over 12,000 organizations participate in the ENERGY STAR program from which the winners are selected.

'Toyota remains committed to sustainable plant operations in North America, stated Tania Saldana, director of External Affairs for TEMA. "We have made significant strides during the last year by reducing energy use in our operations; maintaining momentum in our water reduction efforts; receiving additional LEED certifications for a number of our sites and further engagement with communities through Toyota's environmental philanthropic program, Together Green."