Contacts:
Tari Emerson – Charter Steel 262-268-2221
Stephen Heins, Orion Energy Systems, 920-892-9340, ext.226
Saukville Steel Plant Saving 38 Million kWh Over Next 20 Years
Saukville, WI – Charter Steel of Saukville, Wis. announced that it has receive the Environmental Stewardship Award for an energy efficient lighting project that is expected to result in environmental savings of roughly 6,972 acres of trees, removing 5,382 cars from the road, or saving 3.45 million gallons of gasoline over the life of the installed lighting. Charter hired Orion Energy Systems of Plymouth, Wis. to install more than 1,000 “Illuminator” lighting fixtures.
Charter Steel will save more than 1.9 million Kilowatt hours (kWh) per year or 38 kWh over the next 20 years using the fixtures. Additionally, the installation will help reduce Charter Steel’s electrical needs by more than 215 KW, which is enough electricity to power 190 homes. The lighting will also help to significantly reduce other types of gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
“We are proud to receive this award as it shows Charter’s commitment to environmentally sound policies,” said Ken Hoopman, rolling mill electrical coordinator. “We now have more and better light for our employees, who have reacted very favorably to the energy efficient lighting project. We are showing large cost savings, because we are using 1.9 million fewer Kilowatt hours annually.”
According to Orion Energy Systems, “Illuminator” lighting platform has earned several U.S. patents and recently won Wisconsin’s prestigious Spirit of Ecology Award and Manufacturer of the Year Award. The “Illuminator” provides a full-spectrum light while using far less energy than standard fixtures. Full spectrum lighting is the equivalent of sunlight at high noon and is used for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) treatment. The “Illuminator” has also received high marks in the industry for longevity, ease of maintenance and advanced technology.
“We congratulate Charter Steel on adopting environmentally friendly technology. They have always been a known innovator and this project proves it,” said Neal Verfuerth, Orion Lighting president. “This Environmental Stewardship Award is meant to honor Charter Steel for making such a positive impact on the Saukville and Wisconsin environment by saving over 38 million kWh over the next 20 years. It is also worth noting that Charter has improved its workplace environment with better lighting and is reducing costs in the process. Overall. Charter has improved its global competitiveness, productivity, and Wisconsin’s environment.”
About Charter Steel
Charter Steel is a supplier of special bar quality steel bar, rod and wire products and is a division of Charter Manufacturing Company, a privately held company headquartered in Mequon, Wis. Other divisions of the company are Charter Specialty Steel, located in Fond du Lac, Wis.; Charter Steel in Cleveland and Fostoria, Ohio; and the Charter Wire and Milwaukee Wire Products divisions, both located in Milwaukee.
About Orion
Orion Energy Systems has been innovating in the energy business since 1996. The company recently won the Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Grand Award in the Emerging Growth category, given by the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce Association, the Wisconsin Business Friend of the Environment Award, was chosen as a “Success Story” for the 2002 Governor’s Summit on Capital, and owns numerous patents.
Orion is an energy systems company, which manufactures and markets energy efficient lighting solutions for the manufacturing, distribution center, warehousing, commercial, school, and gymnasium market. Orion provides capacity displacement solutions for supply side management, transmission management, and demand side management for the electricity industry. For more information, visit the web site at www.oriones.com.
