News

Posted On: 03/14/2006

EPA Names Merck an "Energy Star" Partner

PharmaManufacturing.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Mar. 14 named Merck & Co., Inc. an Energy Star 2006 Partner of the Year for the Company's outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through effective energy management. Merck's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony on March 21 in Washington, D.C.

Merck, an Energy Star partner for the past two years, received this honor for its impressive results achieved through its strong commitment to corporate energy management. Merck's Global Energy Team (GET) seeks to reduce the total cost of energy ownership in an environmentally responsible manner and has initiatives targeting both demand reduction and procurement savings. For example, energy usage at Merck offices, laboratory sites and manufacturing facilities throughout North America was reduced by 8.6 percent in 2005 over the previous year. GET has adopted an aggressive, Company-wide goal of reducing energy usage by 25 percent by the end of 2008.

"Partnering with Energy Star is an ideal way for Merck to promote environmental stewardship and the wise use of energy, which are essential components of corporate responsibility in today's world," said Richard T. Clark, Merck Chief Executive Officer and President. "By encouraging the use of energy efficient practices in our global operations, Energy Star is helping Merck meet its environmental commitments while producing significant savings for our Company."

Merck recognizes that climate change and greenhouse gas management is an issue of global concern. As a member of the Business Roundtable (BRT) and signatory of BRT's Climate RESOLVE Program, Merck supports the goal of enhanced voluntary company actions to control greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, the Company established a greenhouse gas emissions inventory and greenhouse gas emissions management goals. Furthermore, in 2004, Merck reduced CO₂ worldwide from combustion sources and fleet vehicles by 26,000 metric tons, which is the equivalent of taking 5,732 cars off the road or the mitigation effects of planting 7,852 trees.

"Buildings cause about 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions," said Kathleen Hogan, director of the EPA's Climate Protection Partnerships Division. "Energy Star partners such as Merck are showing that their buildings can be effectively managed — with great results for their energy bills and our environment."

The Energy Star Partner of the Year Award is given to a variety of organizations to recognize their efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate energy efficiency into overall organizational strategy. These award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

For more information on Merck, visit www.merck.com. To learn more about the Energy Star program, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937).