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Northwest Food Processors Association Honors Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance Manager With 2009 Eagle Award

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 January 2009, 07:03 CST

PORTLAND, Ore., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Sergio Dias, senior manager of the industrial initiative with the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA), was honored with the prestigious Eagle Award at the 2009 Northwest Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo.

The Eagle Award is presented by the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the advancement of a project or program in support of NWFPA's mission. NWFPA's mission is to be an advocate for its members' interests and a resource for enhancing their capabilities.

"What Sergio Dias and NEEA have done is support our industry in reducing its energy use so we can stay competitive in today's global marketplace," says NWFPA president Dave Zepponi. "He was instrumental in forging the collaborative partnership with U.S. DOE that led to our setting an aggressive industry-wide goal to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent in 10 years and an additional 25 percent in 20 years through innovation and technology. As a result, we are well on our way to building a strong energy efficiency ethic within the region's food processing industry. In addition to highlighting Sergio's own leadership, we want to thank the Northwest utilities for their support in making this happen."

More than 130 utilities, Bonneville Power Administration, and Energy Trust of Oregon have come together to support NEEA's mission to drive the development and adoption of energy-efficient products and services. Working together through NEEA, Northwest utilities have a greater and lasting influence on the marketplace.

"We are honored to have Sergio Dias' commitment, experience and leadership working with Industry," said Claire Fulenwider, NEEA Executive Director. "Sergio is leading the way in developing a strategy that can now be replicated across the region. Kudos also to the NWFPA and their commitment to energy efficiency. This is truly transformational work."

Leveraging his experience in industrial manufacturing and his passion for energy efficiency, Dias has worked closely with senior executives at food processing and pulp and paper companies across the Northwest in collaboration with Northwest utilities. Dias is the driving force behind NEEA's strategic energy management program -- Continuous Energy Improvement (CEI) -- an executive and plant-level program designed to support industry in making energy management a core business practice.

NEEA has partnered with the NWFPA to help make energy efficiency a core component of their member companies' operations. Through a collaborative effort among NWFPA, NEEA and the U.S. Department of Energy, the industry has made significant reductions in energy use and is giving form to its aggressive energy vision in today's carbon-constrained economy.

NWFPA plans to publish its roadmap to energy efficiency -- a formal plan to achieve its aggressive 50 percent energy intensity reduction goal -- during the first quarter of 2009. The roadmap will be implemented by the Northwest Food Processors Innovation Productivity Center, established with State of Oregon funds through the Oregon Innovation Council.

"This industry-wide approach is an example of innovation at its best: leveraging partnerships, promoting sustainability and providing jobs," said Zepponi.

About NEEA

The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is a nonprofit supported by energy efficiency leaders including Bonneville Power Administration, Energy Trust of Oregon and more than 130 utilities from Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Montana. Through regional leverage, NEEA delivers large-scale energy efficiency efforts while supporting both urban and rural needs across commercial, industrial and residential sectors. NEEA helps bring new energy- efficient technologies and better codes and standards to market while supporting other energy efficiency efforts. According to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council, the Northwest has saved nearly 3,300 average megawatts (aMW) through energy efficiency over the past 30 years, which is equivalent to powering the city of Seattle three times over.

About NWFPA

Formed in 1914, the Northwest Food Processors Association (NWFPA) serves as an advocate for the interests of member food processors in Idaho, Oregon and Washington and as a resource to enhance their competitive capabilities. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, NWFPA has over 450 member companies, including 80 food processors with nearly 180 production facilities throughout the Northwest region. Association services address important issues impacting the industry, including the following areas: Food Safety and Security, Energy, Environmental, Innovation & Productivity, and Governmental Affairs. The Association conducts several annual events featuring speakers and programming of value to its membership. In its 95th year, the annual NW Food Manufacturing & Packaging Expo is the largest regional food manufacturing trade show in North America.

SOURCE Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

Source: PR Newswire

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