An Environmental Protection Agency-commissioned survey finds energy intensity in cement production dropped 13% from 1997–2007. Duke University researchers compared producer-collected energy usage data against Department of Commerce figures, confirming a 1%-plus improvement trend per year to factor into EPA’s cement industry energy curve. The power savings equate to a reduction of almost 1.5 million metric tons of energy-related carbon.
“The decade studied by Duke was one of unprecedented growth for the cement industry, yet Portland Cement Association members demonstrated their commitment to environmental stewardship by building sound strategies for energy management,” says PCA President Brian McCarthy. “The U.S. cement industry was among the first major industries to tackle the issue of climate change, and this study illustrates that it has remained at the forefront of developing policies and improving the manufacturing process.”
