Simplot Fertilizer, Potato Plants Earn Prestigious Recognition for Energy Efficiency

An essential component of Simplot's policy is its dedication to energy efficiency. For instance, it has the 4Sight 2030 Goals, which are precise and quantifiable sustainability objectives. By 2030, these operational aims hope to significantly reduce emissions of trash, energy, water, and carbon.

For instance, the corporation wants to lower its energy intensity internationally by 15% per ton of goods. Obtaining and maintaining ENERGY STAR certification is a crucial step in achieving this.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently acknowledged the company's efforts when two Simplot fertilizer factories were awarded the coveted 2023 ENERGY STAR accreditation.

Simplot's Portage la Prairie Potato Processing Facility in Manitoba was also awarded an Industry Certification for 2023 by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), a division of the Canadian government, in addition to being recognized by ENERGY STAR.

Simplot's plants in Helm, California, and Rock Springs, Wyoming, have earned the U.S. ENERGY STAR accreditation, indicating that they are two of the nation's most energy-efficient nitrogenous fertilizer-producing facilities. Fertilizer and its byproducts are made at Helm and Rock Springs and are essential inputs for producing healthy crops that contribute to global food security.

“For Simplot to have three plants achieve this designation is a testament to our Company’s commitment to business sustainability and the health of the planet. In 2023, that included the commissioning of a solar array at Helm. This system produces approximately one-third of the plant’s annual electricity requirements, which is about 1.75 million kilowatt-hours!” Simplot AgriBusiness Energy Engineer, David Albright, mentioned.

Helm received an ENERGY STAR award from 2019 to 2022. This is Rock Springs' third ENERGY STAR designation. Based on the plants' national ranking in the top 25% of their industry on the EPA's Energy Star energy performance rating, they have been designated. This metric is a statistical model that rates the output and energy consumption of a facility to compare its energy efficiency to that of the sector. Merely 102 plants across all categories received this accreditation in 2023.

“We are honored to be part of this very select group of manufacturing facilities. Congratulations to the teams at each of the Simplot facilities that earned this incredible achievement!” Albright added.

Before formally receiving ENERGY STAR designation in 2019, Simplot's Portage factory in Canada had been satisfying energy standards for ten years running. At that point, the NRCan ENERGY STAR certification for frozen fries became accessible in Canada. With recognition in 2019, 2020, 2022, and now 2023, Portage is the only frozen fried potato facility in Canada to hold this accreditation (plant expansion started affected certification in 2021). Remarkably, every Simplot potato processing facility located in the United States and Canada has obtained ENERGY STAR accreditation.

“Energy is one of the most critical components of running our global food business. We always have efficiency at the top of our minds, and everyone is encouraged to bring forward great ideas that move the needle on conserving this precious resource. When we all work together, we can achieve great energy savings, as recognized by ENERGY STAR,” Global Food Energy Engineer, Don Strickler, declared.

Since its launch in 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners, such as Simplot, have assisted companies in streamlining their operations to save energy, resulting in over USD500bn in energy cost savings and a reduction of 4bn metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.