Each team was evaluated on many different criteria – defining the problem, objectives and constraints, and considering global, economic, environmental and ethical issues. The BBE Department works to develop critical thinking in leaders who then create collaborative solutions to complex issues. This is why Andersen Corporation has supported the BBE for nearly four decades.

After watching some fascinating presentations, it quickly became clear why there is an abundance of energy and enthusiasm among group members. Their ability to address complex issues with vigor and passion is refreshing and helps ensure our future is in good hands!

Committee members tackled defining sustainability. The “ideal” vs. “applied” conflict quickly arose. As described by Chairman Dru Meadows, principal of the GreenTeam, Inc., the ideals of sustainability are necessary touch points that help guide our journey. However, along with “ideals” we need “applied” tactical and proven processes found in the marketplace to help advance us towards the “ideal”. The most widely accepted definition of sustainable development came from a report published by the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED) in 1987. More commonly known as the Brundtland report, Our Common Future defines sustainable development as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

Tackling the large, complex issues of sustainability is no small or easy task. Efforts by participating members of ASTM E60 strive to identify needs and opportunities, draft guidelines and provide a roadmap for continuous improvement in the areas of sustainability. The takeaway message suggests not getting bogged down with perfection – defining the possibly unattainable “ideals” – but rather implementing and advancing some of the proven “applied” sustainability efforts that move us along in the right direction.

Andersen Corporation President and CEO Jay Lund and U. S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson

ENERGY STAR® recognized the top U.S. manufacturers for their work on behalf of energy efficiency in this country and handed out a few awards recently in Washington D.C. We are very pleased to be the sole window manufacturer to receive this important distinction this year. Winning three years in a row means we are now an ENERGY STAR Sustained Partner. Thank you to our friends at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for recognizing us in this way and a special thanks for the opportunity for our CEO Jay Lund to meet personally with EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson and talk about the future of energy efficiency.  It was a great honor!

“At Andersen, we believe finding new ways to use alternative energy is one way to help restore economic growth for everyone, and this project shows how the rubber literally meets the road,” said Lance Whitacre, Vice President, Logistics. “Leveraging this unique partnership today yields far reaching benefits for us that improve the triple bottom line – good for the people, profitable for the companies and beneficial for the environment.”

Natural gas vehicles show an average reduction in ozone-forming emissions of 80 percent compared to diesel-powered vehicles. Additionally, more than 99 percent of the natural gas used in the United States comes from domestic or other North American sources. Compared to liquefied natural gas and diesel fuel, CNG has the lowest price, lowest emissions and an extensive infrastructure in place. Of the 1,000 CNG stations in North America, though, less than half of those are truck-friendly.

Read all about our exciting new sustainability effort here!

Andersen Corporation was awarded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2012 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award for its family of brands including Andersen Windows, Renewal by Andersen, Eagle Window & Door, American Craftsman Window & Door Company and Silver Line Building Products.

The ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence distinction is reserved for ENERGY STAR partners demonstrating outstanding leadership year after year. The 2012 Sustained Excellence Awards are given only to organizations that have been named ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for three or more consecutive years.

“Andersen Corporation’s outstanding accomplishments show that improved energy performance can be good for the environment and good for business,” stated Jonathan Passe, Chief, ENERGY STAR Residential Branch, in a letter to the company.

Andersen receives the ENERGY STAR designation for its outstanding contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by educating consumers through the use of ENERGY STAR information in consumer education programs, advertising, media relations, web sites, social media and training materials. This distinction honors Andersen’s ongoing commitment to providing energy-efficient products, as well as the company’s comprehensive continuous improvement using state-of-the-art manufacturing processes to limit environmental impact.

“Andersen’s commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability is a part of our heritage. It is in our nature, our company culture, and every product we create,” said Jay Lund, president and chief executive officer of Andersen Corporation. “This is made possible only by the collective contributions of everyone at Andersen. Each of our employees should be very proud of what they have done to help earn this award.”

Andersen will be recognized March 15, 2012 at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. These awards recognize ongoing leadership across the ENERGY STAR program including energy-efficient products, services, and new homes and buildings in the commercial, industrial and public sectors. Award winners are selected from more than 20,000 organizations that participate in the ENERGY STAR program.

Andersen has been part of the ENERGY STAR program since its inception in 1998 and was the first window manufacturer awarded the ENERGY STAR National Window Partner of the Year in 1999.

Read all about this sustainable, comfortable home here!

LivingHomes C6 (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Construction Liaison, Jamison Lenz of AmeriCorps states, “This house follows a standard tried and true building procedure that… is a good comprise of efficiency and affordability.” He continued saying most homeowners see a 40 percent reduction in monthly utilities compared to standard homes. These savings are thanks in part to a tightly sealed building envelop.

Local Standard Lumber and Andersen employees donate time to build

Such a tight building envelop requires the use of an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) bringing fresh air inside while minimizing energy loss. The use of low VOC caulks, sealants and paint, Green Label Plus carpet and SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified windows donated by Andersen, also helps ensure healthy indoor air quality.

These energy efficient homes remind us of the importance to factor in all the operating costs such as heating, cooling and lighting, when calculating the true cost of a home.

The project, with support from the local utility company, replaced all 400-watt metal halide lighting with energy efficient T8 fluorescent fixtures.

Recycled halide fixtures

Careful steps were taken to keep scrap out of the waste stream as every component from the old fixtures was recycled – earning them a check for $3,500 from the recycler!

Ballasts in the old fixtures were going bad and made a constant buzzing noise. The new fixtures eliminate the noise while providing a much brighter work space. Additionally, they’ll reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 200,000 pounds annually.

Tangible dollar savings on the balance sheet and emissions tracking is what gets projects like this approved. However, as we realize the benefits of greening our operations and supply chain, we’re continually reminded of the elusive benefits – brighter and quieter work area – that are real, even if they aren’t easy to measure and quantify. As we evolve along the sustainability journey, so too must the tools we use to measure return on investment (ROI).

EI's Policy Forum Series: 2012 Legislative Preview

Topics ranged from aquatic invasive species to transportation challenges. But the topic creating the most buzz revolved around the representatives’ 2011 visit to Germany regarding the similarities and differences among our long term energy strategies.

Minnesota has greater renewable energy resources with wind and solar, yet Germany is further down the technological journey around energy conservation and implementation. Their ambitious goal of achieving 24 percent less green house gas (GHG) emissions by 2020 (based on 1990 levels) dwarfs the U.S. commitment of 19 percent below 2007 levels. That commitment was made two years ago in Copenhagen, according to Representative Kate Knuth (District 50B, New Brighton). Although many critics argue whether this is realistically attainable, these are impressive goals and could no doubt result in great gains.

Legislative Preview - Networking Break

While the options for solving these issues varied as much as the topics, what’s refreshingly different among this group of EI supporters is the ability and willingness to find common ground and implement creative, win/win solutions. This collaboration is a welcome change from the increasingly common trend these days for parties to hold that line in their opposing views, which leads to gridlock and halts productive action. Perhaps the EI staff and supporters should take their show on the road!