GM Boosts Solar Power and Cuts Natural Gas at Indiana Plant

General Motors (GM) is ramping up its sustainability initiatives with a significant solar energy deal and a focus on reducing natural gas use at its Fort Wayne assembly plant. 

These efforts are part of GM's broader goal to power all its US facilities with renewable energy by 2025 and to achieve global carbon neutrality by 2040.

A pivotal solar energy agreement

In a major step forward, GM has signed a 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy. 

This deal, the company’s largest to date, will supply electricity to three key GM assembly plants in the United States.

The electricity will come from NorthStar’s Newport Solar Project in Arkansas, which has a capacity of 180MW — enough to power 30,000 homes annually. 

This move further strengthens GM’s position as the automotive industry’s largest buyer of renewable energy by capacity. 

Rob Threlkeld, GM's Director of Global Energy Strategy, said: "By expanding our renewable electricity portfolio, we are taking a major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our broader sustainability goals.

“This facility not only supports our renewable electricity strategy, but also demonstrates our dedication to a sustainable future for all.”

Cutting natural gas at Fort Wayne Assembly

GM’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint is also evident at its Fort Wayne Assembly plant in Indiana, where the company has significantly cut natural gas consumption.

A recent project at the plant has resulted in a 30% reduction in natural gas use, compared to 2019 levels.

This was achieved by eliminating steam usage for freeze protection and comfort heating, replacing it with a natural gas-fired steam system. GM also installed heat exchangers to recover waste heat from landfill gas-powered generators, which now meets more than 80% of the plant’s heating needs. The project not only cuts energy use but also prevents emergency sprinkler systems from freezing during winter.

Kathi Walker, GM’s Director of Global Sustainability Strategies, added: “Together with GM’s energy team, the employees at Fort Wayne Assembly have developed an energy solution that helps promote carbon reduction in the assembly of our best-selling trucks.

“Whether we’re building electric or internal combustion vehicles, we’re committed to maximising the sustainability of our manufacturing processes.

Part of a broader sustainability challenge

These efforts at Fort Wayne are part of GM’s participation in the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) ‘Better Climate Challenge’. 

This initiative, launched in 2011 under the Better Buildings initiative, involves more than 80 industrial companies committed to cutting Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030.

As a participant, GM has already reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% and the company aims to further cut emissions by 72% by 2035. 

GM’s sustainability efforts have earned recognition from the DOE, highlighting the company’s commitment to a greener future.

Kristen Siemen, GM’s Vice President of Sustainable Workplaces and Chief Sustainability Officer, said in GM’s 2023 ‘Journey To Zero’ sustainability report: “At GM, we are taking important steps toward supporting the transition to a more sustainable, zero emissions future for everyone.

“We continue to make progress on our plan to become carbon neutral in our global products and operations by 2040, but we know we can’t do it alone.”

GM’s investment in renewable energy and efforts to reduce natural gas usage exemplify its dedication to sustainability.

As the company continues to push forward with electric vehicle innovation and renewable energy initiatives, it remains a leader in the transition to a more sustainable, zero-emissions future.

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