 |
Energy Use
In 2003, total energy use increased slightly due to production increases of 2.5 percent, and regular maintenance of one of our cogeneration plants. With the plant out of commission, we used older, less efficient steam boilers to generate the energy needed to keep our operations running.
Borax formed a team last year to identify ways to conserve energy and reduce GHG emissions. More than 70 ideas have been identified, ranging from converting haul trucks to natural gas to using solar or wind energy. These ideas may help us reach our goal to lower GHG emissions by three percent in the next five years.
We also consider how we ship our products in the most energy-efficient manner. Borax evaluated the environmental impacts associated with 20 global delivery routes, using its primary mine and refinery as the starting point. This year, we will use what we learned to balance economic and environmental considerations in charting our supply routes.
These charts show our total energy use over time, and energy use by type in 2003.
|
