EPA Names McDonald’s USA 2007 Energy Star Partner of the Year

April 19, 2007

Oak Brook, IL (March 1, 2007) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has named McDonald’s USA as a 2007 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for outstanding energy management. McDonald’s accomplishments will be recognized at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 21, 2007.

McDonald’s USA, an ENERGY STAR Partner for more than 10 years, will be honored for smart energy management practices and investments throughout its operations that have resulted in significant energy and financial savings.

“Energy management is a critical part of our day-to-day operations,” said Steve DePalo, Energy Manager, McDonald’s USA. “McDonald’s energy management plan assesses the energy markets, utility environment, our restaurants’ energy use and prioritizes short, mid and long-term objectives based on integrating these factors into McDonald’s overall structure. We utilize a wide variety of tools to ensure our franchisees, restaurant managers, and crew have the knowledge, training, and resources available to them to reduce and control energy usage.”

"The success of McDonald’s USA 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."

The energy efficiency of McDonald’s restaurants and equipment are an important part of its overall energy program.

Various departments including Engineering, Development, Purchasing, and Energy work together to identify opportunities to improve the efficiency of current equipment and restaurants, as well as where new technologies can be applied to reduce the overall energy profile. McDonald’s works closely with its suppliers as they develop new equipment to enhance reliability, efficiency, and ease of maintenance.

Across the U.S., top companies and organizations are continuing to promote strategic energy management through participation in ENERGY STAR. Last year alone, Americans with the help of ENERGY STAR, 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. These Award winners are selected from thousands of organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Sort by Category:

• Most Recent
• Our Values
• Sustainable Supply Chain
• Nutrition and Well-Being
• Environmental Responsibility
• Employment Experience
• Community