A sustainable business. A healthy planet. A responsibility to all. Purposeful actions that benefit our world and the bottom line ensure successful operations at Simplot now and well into the future.
As you may know, Simplot’s commitment to energy efficiency is an integral part of our company. As an example, we have specific and measurable sustainability goals — our 4Sight 2030 Goals. These operational goals are aimed at major reductions in energy, water, carbon and waste emissions by 2030; our Energy goal is to reduce our energy intensity by 15% per ton of product globally. One important way we accomplish this is by achieving and sustaining ENERGY STAR certification.
Recently, our efforts were recognized when two Simplot fertilizer plants again earned the prestigious 2023 ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Our Portage la Prairie Potato Processing Facility in Manitoba was also recognized by ENERGY STAR, receiving Industry Certification for 2023 by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), Government of Canada.
The U.S. ENERGY STAR certification recognizes Simplot’s Helm, California, plant and our Rock Springs, Wyoming, plant as among the most energy-efficient nitrogenous fertilizer manufacturing facilities in the country. Helm and Rock Springs produce fertilizer and its components — critical inputs to ensure healthy crops that help feed the world.
For Simplot AgriBusiness Energy Engineer David Albright, the honor was welcome recognition of Simplot’s hard work and dedication to energy efficiency. “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 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!”
Helm was previously recognized by ENERGY STAR from 2019-2022; this is Rock Springs’ third ENERGY STAR award. The designation is based on the plants’ rank in the top 25 percent on EPA’s Energy Star energy performance scale in their industry nationwide. This measure is a statistical model that scores a facility’s production and energy use to benchmark its energy performance against the industry. In 2023, only 102 plants in all categories were awarded this certification.
“We are honored to be part of this very select group of manufacturing facilities,” said Albright. “Congratulations to the teams at each of the Simplot facilities that earned this incredible achievement.”
Up in Canada, Simplot’s Portage plant was already meeting energy criteria for 10 consecutive years before officially earning ENERGY STAR recognition in 2019 — that’s when NRCan ENERGY STAR certification for Frozen Fried Potato became available in Canada. Portage is the only frozen fried potato plant in Canada to earn the certification, receiving recognition in 2019, 2020, 2022 and now 2023 (plant expansion startup affected certification in 2021.) Of note: All Simplot potato processing plants in the U.S. and Canada have earned ENERGY STAR certification.
“Energy is one of the most critical components of running our global food business,” said Global Food Energy Engineer Don Strickler. “We always have efficiency top-of-mind, 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.”
Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners like Simplot have helped businesses make their processes more energy efficient, saving more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieving 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions.
Learn more about Simplot’s Mining and Manufacturing and Simplot potato products, as well as the company’s commitment to reducing energy use.