New England Pilot Project Cuts Energy Costs for Massachusetts Manufacturers

Massachusetts MEP - MEP-EPA Partnership Generates 10:1 Return on Investment

The Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership today [Jan 5] released the results of a tri-state pilot project designed to cut energy costs for manufacturers. Developed as a collaborative initiative between northern New England manufacturing extension partnerships (MEPs) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the project generated a 10:1 return on its investment. As a result of the pilot project’s success, MassMEP will offer the energy-cutting program to manufacturers throughout the state.

“The energy savings achieved by companies participating in this pilot project validated the approach. By integrating the EPA energy toolkit into our MEP lean manufacturing program, we can provide a much more effective method for identifying opportunities for energy savings. This approach represents the next level in sustainable green manufacturing,” said Jack Healy, executive director of the MassMEP.

Cost concerns can deter manufacturers from implementing energy-saving changes. Small manufacturers in particular may fear that the payback period for energy efficiency investments is too long. But the MEP pilot project demonstrated that the energy-saving paybacks from its approach typically begin immediately and are attainable even for small manufacturers.

The MassMEP executive director pointed to another advantage of the initiative. It can help small and mid-size manufacturers satisfy the green supply chain requirements that many large manufacturers and retailers increasingly require of their suppliers.