Survey: Manufacturers in the dark about Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative
Myron Zucker Inc. customer survey indicates that 75% are not aware of the Commerce Department's Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative program, which was launched in 2007.
David Greenfield -- Control Engineering, 10/25/2009
When it comes to shedding light on the U.S. government's plans to make manufacturers and other commercial electrical users more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly, many businesses are being left in the dark, according to a recent survey of large electrical power consumers conducted by Myron Zucker Inc., a supplier of power factor correction capacitors and harmonic filters.
Zucker's survey, conducted among the firm's customers, revealed that 75% of the 175 respondents have not heard or read anything about the U.S. Commerce Department's Sustainable Manufacturing Initiative program, which was launched in 2007.
 Donna Zobel, President & CEO of Myron Zucker Inc. |
"Now, two years later, there is clearly a failure of the government to communicate adequately the goals sought and potential benefits available to U.S. manufacturing firms and other institutions who adopt green practices," said Donna Zobel, Myron Zucker Inc. president and CEO.
While nearly 50% of survey respondents said that they have plans to implement environmentally-sustainable practices, many were critical of the lack of a level playing field against non-U.S. competitors, which enjoy a cost advantage because of lack of government requirements to employ sustainable practices.
Zobel was among a select group of business leaders speaking at the Commerce Department's "Sustainability and U.S. Competitiveness Summit" Oct. 8 in Washington D.C. The summit addressed green supply chain challenges, regulatory compliance, and the relationship between U.S. competitiveness and environmental responsibility.
Access other Control Engineering content related to sustainable manufacturing:
- Department of Energy awards grants for engine efficiency and emissions capture research
- FCI announces new initiative to meet emissions reporting mandate
- Quaker Oats installs new fuel efficient boilers
- Edited by David Greenfield, editorial director
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