For the past seven years, IDFA has promoted energy efficiency in the dairy industry through a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency and by encouraging member participation in the agency’s voluntary ENERGY STAR programs and tools. EPA last week invited dairy companies to expand their commitment to improving the energy efficiency of their operations by testing a preliminary energy management tool designed specifically for plants that process fluid milk.

The ENERGY STAR Fluid Milk Processing Plant Energy Performance Indicator (EPI) is a model that uses benchmarking to compare the energy efficiencies of fluid milk processing plants across the nation. The model protects the information of companies using the tool while allowing them to compare their energy efficiency to the industry’s average with a comparative energy performance score.

Based on industry data reported by the U.S. Census Bureau, the model will produce an energy performance score on a scale from 1 to 100, with 100 representing the most efficient level of performance. Plants that score a 75 or higher will be eligible to earn ENERGY STAR certification from EPA in recognition of superior performance.

EPA has requested comments on the overall performance of the tool by July 12. To get a copy of the tool for testing, contact Emily Lyons, IDFA director of regulatory affairs and counsel, at elyons@idfa.org. If the tests are successful and EPA is pleased with the results, dairy companies testing the model and earn a performance score of 75 or higher in their facilities will be fast-tracked for ENERGY STAR certification.

IDFA also invites members to participate in an ENERGY STAR conference call about the tool on June 7, 2:00 p.m. Eastern time.