News

Posted On: 03/08/2007

EPA Names Merck An Energy Star 2007 Partner of the Year

PharmaManufacturing.com

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named Merck & Co., Inc. (Whitehouse Station, N.J.) an Energy Star 2007 Partner of the Year for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions through effective energy management. Merck, an Energy Star partner since 2004, is the first pharmaceutical company to be named Partner of the Year two years in a row. Merck's accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C., on March 21.

Merck was awarded this honor for its impressive results achieved through its strong commitment to corporate energy management. Led by Merck’s Global Energy Team, the Company strives to manage energy in a cost-effective, efficient, reliable, innovative, and environmentally responsible manner.

“Our partnership with Energy Star is a natural extension of Merck's Plan to Win,” said Chief Executive Officer and President Richard T. Clark. “As a high performance organization, we need to take advantage of every opportunity to operate more efficiently, and that includes carefully managing every aspect of our energy use."

Merck is not only working to reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions at its facilities, but is also focusing on its sales fleet vehicles by switching to more fuel efficient “flexible fuel” vehicles and by piloting hybrid vehicles.

Last year alone, with the help of Energy Star, Americans saved $14 billion on their energy bills and reduced greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of more than 25 million vehicles.

The 2007 Partner of the Year Awards recognize efforts to use energy efficiently in facility operations and to integrate superior energy management into overall organizational strategy. Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the Energy Star program.

“The success of Merck & Co., Inc. in proactively managing their energy use is a model for businesses across the country,” said Bill Wehrum, acting assistant administrator for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. “Because buildings contribute about 20% of our national greenhouse gas emissions, effective energy management helps the bottom line and protects our environment.”

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