Business News

Sustainability Progress Report: Meeting 2010 Energy Goals

Wednesday 23. July 2008 - The 2008 Sustainability Progress Report highlights DuPont's 2010 energy goals, progress against the goals, and examples of the progress.

One goal was to hold total energy flat with 1990 levels. The total energy is down 7 percent overall. An example of working to achieve the goal is “energy breakout” initiatives, which were launched in 2005 and 2006. As a result, energy consumption at the 47 participating plants was reduced by over 8 trillion BTUs, or about 7 percent of total 2004 U.S. energy use. This saved over USD 60 million in fuel, electricity and purchased steam.
The other goal was to obtain 10 percent of energy from renewable sources at a cost that is competitive with the best available fossil fuels. Progress against this goal is 6 percent overall. An example of this is the “DeLisle Landfill Gas Project.” The DeLisle, Miss., site overcame significant challenges and converted a natural gas-fired, steam-generating boiler from single fuel to dual fuel operation, with landfill gas as the new fuel. The entire site reduced fossil fuel use by 4 percent, and reduced energy costs by over USD 1 million per year. Agreements are in place that will assure that landfill gas will be supplied to the site for the next 15-plus years, which guarantees a minimum of USD 15 million in savings over the life of the project.