IDFA has teamed with the Environmental Protection Agency to promote the Energy Star Challenge for the Dairy Industry, a national call-to-action to improve the energy efficiency of America's industrial facilities. The Challenge will recognize participating manufacturers that improve their energy efficiency by 10 percent or more within five years.

The Energy Star Challenge for the Dairy Industry was envisioned as a next step under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that IDFA signed with EPA earlier this year. IDFA agreed to advocate for increased energy efficiency in U.S. dairy processing facilities. In return, EPA and the ENERGY STAR program will provide expertise, training, energy management guidance and management tools.

"The dairy program is different than the broader Challenge in that IDFA and members have already taken the first step and identified energy-intensity metrics to be used by the various subsets within the dairy processing industry," said Clay Detlefsen, IDFA vice president for regulatory affairs. "Also, IDFA, not EPA, will be the point of contact to sign up, and we will track who succeeds and convey that to EPA."

The program includes six additional steps:

  • Identify a baseline 12-month usage time period;
  • Choose an energy intensity metric;
  • Identify an energy-tracking plan;
  • Sign up for the Challenge with IDFA;
  • Track energy use and achieve the 10 percent reduction; and
  • Verify savings and apply for recognition.

More details and suggested resources are available in the EPA's Steps for Participation. Dairy processors may sign up by downloading the IDFA Energy Star Challenge for the Dairy Industry Application.

To assist facilities, IDFA invites all dairy processors to participate in a conference call with EPA Energy Star representatives on May 25, 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. The call will provide an overview of the Challenge and will answer questions about "source" energy, the Energy Star Energy Tracking Tool and other relevant Challenge matters.

To receive the conference call materials and call-in number, contact Patrick Bolling, IDFA assistant for international and regulatory affairs, at pbolling@idfa.org or (202) 220-3528.

Read the EPA announcement here.