Way to go, Campbellsville! 100% Renewable, 100% Sustainable!

Ingersoll Rand recently launched our company’s 2030 and 2050 Environmental Goals, among them a commitment to convert to 100% renewable energy by 2050. Our plant in Campbellsville, Kentucky, made the switch in September and by November were operating on 100% renewable energy. Not only do they feel great about the benefits they’re promoting for our planet, but they even opted for a program that will help their home state as well.

 

“We took on this task to make substantial improvements for the company and our community,” said Charlie Clarke, plant manager. “The team here is dedicated to long-term sustainability; and as sustainability becomes more and more important to investors and employees, we want our site to be leading the way!”

KU-IR Green Energy and Solar Share Overview

How does it work?

 

Campbellsville purchased renewable energy credits—known as RECs—which ensures their procured energy is renewable. The cost was minimal for the facility and, because they are buying RECs from an off-site farm, there is no overhead. 

 

Leaders report that the decision to go renewable was an easy one: it was cost-effective, no risk and quick to implement, with no upfront capital investment or long-term contract. And RECs support certified green initiatives such as Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), RE100, and the Science Based Target Initiative (SBTI).

 

Where does the renewable energy come from?

 

The current plan has 99% of the renewable energy for Campbellsville coming from established, regional clean power generators in surrounding states: 68% from wind farms in Illinois, 24% from solar farms in Indiana and 8% from wind farms located in Missouri. 

 

“Currently we are buying out-of-state renewable energy,” explained Frank Pooser, Environmental, Health and Safety leader, “but we have chosen to invest in Kentucky and pay a little more to help install a farm in-state.” 

 

Because of the participation in the program by other regional manufacturers and businesses similar to Ingersoll Rand, it is expected a solar farm located in Simpsonville, Kentucky, will be complete in 2021.