Today, both manufacturing output and employment are growing, and companies are going even further by committing to improving their energy efficiency. Since the end of the recession, the manufacturing sector has created more than 700,000 jobs, and the industry supports more than 16 million U.S. jobs in manufacturing and its supply chains. The importance of this sector to our economy cannot be overstated. Manufacturing has the largest multiplier effect of any part of the economy, and for every $1.00 spent in manufacturing, the sector generates $1.32 for the U.S. economy.

That’s why I’m taking this opportunity today, on National Manufacturing Day, to recognize three industrial facilities recently awarded with our Energy Star Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Award for their highly efficient CHP systems, which decrease energy costs and reduce carbon pollution that leads to climate change. CHP, also known as cogeneration, simultaneously produces electricity and steam or hot water from a single heat source, using traditional or renewable fuels. It provides reliable and cost-effective electricity and heat for a variety of manufacturing processes, including the production of chemicals and pharmaceuticals, where energy costs can be a significant portion of operating costs. Continue reading →