IE's Environmental Commitment Shows Results

International Energy was recognized for its commitment to environmental excellence and energy management through the certification of all its Canadian manufacturing facilities to the ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard. The award also recognized the company for dedicating approximately one quarter of its annual worldwide laboratory research funding to studying and resolving environmental issues, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of alternative fuels, more efficient power generation and improved manufacturing technology.

Cleaner Manufacturing

Through environmental impact management efforts, International Energy plants are being rebuilt to become more efficient. Find out more about our manufacturing initiatives by reading the material below.

The solar panels on the Bridgeramp Transmission Wire Plant in Rhode Island are the first of this type in conductive cable plant in the world. Why pick a North Eastern location for a solar panel project? Because it is a more demanding test of solar technology than a sunny location.

The power needed for lights over an area of approximately 108,000 square feet is produced by the panels. That's a lot of electricity, but that's not the only benefit! Solar power generation is emission free–4,400 U.S. tons of CO2 won't be sent into the atmosphere over the 30-year life of the plant. That means cleaner air in the Bridgeramp community.

Elimination and Reduction of Hazardous Materials

Company Policy on Restricted Substances

IE has a global "Substance Use Restrictions" standard, which is reviewed quarterly by Company experts and revised and re-issued annually. This standard informs our personnel and suppliers of certain substances which must be restricted in or excluded from products supplied to IE or used in IE facilities. The following are a few examples of our proactive approach to reducing or eliminating hazardous materials from its products and facilities:

Elimination of Chromium in Pre-Paint Coating
Chromium compounds were used, in conjunction with the phosphate coating, to chemically coat the metal surface of many of our power generating comonents,  prior to the painting process. By the end of 1997, most IE facilities globally had converted to a chromium-free pre-paint coating process.

Removal of Mercury Switches
Mercury-containing switches are being eliminated from IE owned vehicles, as part of a voluntary commitment to the Michigan Mercury Pollution Prevention Task Force.

Reduction of Lubricating Oil Use Through the Introduction of "Dry" Machining
Several IE component-manufacturing facilities have installed machining equipment that does not require lubricating oil. Use of these "dry" machines eliminates emissions, odors and disposal of the waste oil.

Elimination of PCB Transformers
IE is voluntarily removing PCB transformers from its facilities and offices, with the goal of eliminating all PCB transformers by year-end 2010.

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