GM continues path towards 2040 carbon neutral target

As part of its target to be carbon neutral by 2040 GM says it has signed a 15-year renewable energy purchase agreement with NorthStar Clean Energy to supply three of its assembly plants.

With sourcing agreements from 17 renewable energy plants across 11 states now in place, GM notes that this is its largest power purchase deal to date. With capacity of 180MW NorthStar’s Newport Solar project site in Arkansas generates enough electricity to power 30,000 homes per year.

This site will support the electricity needs of GM’s Lansing Delta Township Assembly and Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan, and the Wentzville Assembly site in Missouri.

“By expanding our renewable electricity portfolio, we are taking a major step forward in reducing our carbon footprint and advancing our broader sustainability goals,” says Rob Threlkeld, GM director of global energy strategy.

Another positive step for GM has seen its Fort Wayne assembly plant, in Indiana being recognised by the Department of Energy (DoE) for a project that reduced natural gas consumption at the plant by 30%, against a 2019 baseline.

The facility, which produces the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 trucks, initiated a project to repurpose waste heat from gas-powered generators to heat the plant and protect the emergency sprinkler systems from freezing in colder months.

The company says assembly plant’s carbon reduction from the project is equivalent to the energy needed to heat 4,900 houses for one year, and the reduced use of natural gas and electricity will see an annual cost saving of $3.5m. GM says it is working to deploy a similar heat recovery system at St. Catharine’s Propulsion Plant in Ontario, which is expected to be operational next year.

“Together with GM’s energy team, the employees at Fort Wayne Assembly have developed an energy solution that helps promote carbon reduction in the assembly of our best-selling trucks,” said Kathi Walker, GM’s director of global sustainability strategies. “Whether we’re building electric or internal combustion vehicles, we’re committed to maximising the sustainability of our manufacturing processes.”