Since President Obama launched the Better Buildings, Better Plants program five years ago, partners have saved more than $3bn in cumulative energy costs.

The Better Buildings, Better Plants Program is part of the broader Better Buildings Initiative, launched in 2011. The goal of the Better Buildings program is to make commercial, public, industrial, and residential buildings 20% more energy efficient over ten years from when partners join the program.

With these new members, Better Plants partners now represent more than 11% of the manufacturing sector’s total energy footprint, with over 2,500 facilities across the United States. So far, partners have reported cumulative energy savings of 600 trillion British Thermal Units (BTUs), and nearly 35 million metric tons of avoided climate-changing carbon emissions.

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz said: “This hugely successful program involves thousands of facilities, avoiding millions of metric tons of carbon emissions and saving billions of dollars in energy costs.

"The progress that our Better Plants partners have made throughout the Obama Administration indicates that American companies are committed to reducing the energy footprint of their operations. That commitment is essential for America to continue making important strides toward a low-carbon future.”

American industries annually spend approximately $200bn on energy costs. As part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to double U.S. energy productivity by 2030, close to 180 manufacturers and water and wastewater treatment agencies have now made voluntary commitments to improve their energy intensity by 25% in ten years.

This year’s Better Plants goal achievers join the 25 other U.S. manufacturers that met their goals in previous years. The 2016 goal-achievers are:

Cummins, an engines, fuel, and power generation manufacturer based in Columbus, IN, achieved a 45% reduction in water intensity.

Daikin Applied Americas, a HVAC systems manufacturer based in Minneapolis, MN, achieved 35% energy savings.

Expera Specialty Solutions, which makes paper products and is based in Kaukauna, WI, achieved 26% energy savings.

General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems Scranton Operation, a Falls Church, VA-based aerospace and defense company, achieved 32% energy savings at its Scranton, PA facility.

Graphic Packaging International, a commercial products packaging manufacturer based in Atlanta, GA, achieved 26% energy savings.

Ingevity, a chemicals manufacturer based in North Charleston, SC, achieved 26% energy savings.

Kingspan Insulated Panels, a panels and insulation products manufacturer based in DeLand, FL, achieved 32 percent energy savings.

Nissan North America, Inc., an automotive manufacturer based in Franklin, TN, achieved 30% energy savings.

OSRAM SYLVANIA, a lighting manufacturer based in Wilmington, MA, achieved 35% energy savings.

Sherwin-Williams, a paints and coatings manufacturer based in Cleveland, OH, achieved 28% energy savings.

United Technologies Corporation, an aerospace and building systems manufacturer, based in Hartford, CT, achieved a 43% reduction in water intensity.

Victor Valley Wastewater Reclamation Authority, a wastewater treatment agency based in Victorville, CA, achieved 27% energy savings.