GM Plugs Its Renewable Portfolio
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 10. 2.06
General Motors may be not only be the world's largest automaker, but also the most controversial: just look at the heated discussions here on GM fuel cell vehicles, Big 3 fuel efficiency, and the EV1. While the company's vehicles will likely continue to create arguments, other developments in their use of energy to make those vehicles seem much more encouraging. Not only has the company opened a LEED-certified plant, but is also using a variety of renewable energy sources to partially power itself. Among the company's renewable accomplishments:
- The largest corporate use of landfill gas in the U.S. The sum of landfill gas capacity at seven GM operations using the fuel is equivalent to the energy needed to heat over 25,000 households, which represents about 1.6 trillion BTUs per year. Landfill gas installations at GM plants generate annual savings exceeding $5 million.
- The nation’s largest, corporate solar photo voltaic installation. This solar installation directly converts solar power into electricity.
- New small hydro-power installations for GM facilities in Mexico that will become operational in 2007.
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I wonder if their LEED-certified plant got points for providing bike storage and changerooms, or access to public transportation? I love that they're helping mainstream technologies that will be of use when we create a GM-free world...
UGH Again let's que the GM bashing. Since it is in Lansing I can say there is probably little or no public transportation. Since public transportation sucks here, but that's not GM's fault. In fact GM wanted to create a high speed rail between Lansing and Detroit at one time. Though that idea didn't go far.
Where are Toyota's and Honda's LEED certified manufacturing plants?
I remember reading that Honda's Ohio plant is fairly clean but not LEED certified. It's not likely that we'll be seeing a GM free world, since they are currently still bigger than Toyota. Sure they may shrink and take a few years to fully "get it" but they'll be around.
UGH Again let's que the GM bashing.
Aww...poor multinational corporation...can't make a profit to save its life...and now even treehuggers are having a go at it...
Where are Toyota's and Honda's LEED certified manufacturing plants?
Here and here. They're not manufacturing plants, but they seem like pretty impressive buildings...
btw- I didn't mean to diss GM specifically, so much as cars in general. Even with a clean power source (and that's decades off), they'll still be hopelessly inefficient and dangerous.