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Northeast Plant Forges Energy Savings Path

As President Bush declared a U.S. addiction to oil and American citizens experience price shock at the gas pumps, businesses such as Ford Motor Company face a bit of a challenge as their costs for energy usage rises at a rapid rate, and they scramble to find ways to cuts costs without a harmful decrease in production. In the U.S. state of Connecticut, the Hartford High Velocity Center of Ford is proving that energy efficiencies are good for business, good for the country and good for the environment.

On Thursday, May 11, Mike Skinner, North America Director of Parts Supply and Logistics, Customer Service Division, Ford Motor Company, accepted the Environmental Stewardship Award on behalf of the Hartford High Velocity Center (HVC) in Windsor Locks, Conn., and Ford. The Award recognizes energy savings Ford generated at the plant.

"The project is a clear example of cooperation between the State of Connecticut, the Connecticut Light and Power Company, New England Energy Management, Inc., and Ford Motor Company," Skinner says. "The project entailed installing energy-efficient lighting coupled with motion sensors that reduce energy usage at times of lower activity in the warehouse. The installation has reduced energy consumption at the facility, and we estimate that yearly savings will exceed $100,000 per year.