JW Aluminum Completes Multiple Energy Efficiency Projects

Company to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions Equivalent to More Than 4 Million Miles Driven

8/11/2022

Russellville, AR – August 11, 2022 – Representatives of JW Aluminum were on hand at their manufacturing facility in Russellville on Wednesday, August 10, 2022 to receive an incentive for participating in the Summit Utilities Arkansas (Summit Utilities) Commercial & Industrial Solutions Program, which helps customers save energy and money by operating more efficiently. JW Aluminum upgraded the burners on four of their existing annealing ovens in their Russellville facility in part through the incentives provided by the Summit Utilities program.

JW Aluminum is a manufacturer of flat rolled aluminum products, and the facility in Russellville produces flat rolled aluminum foil for the HVAC industry. To support their company-wide commitment to invest in upgrading equipment and increase sustainability, the Russellville plant began working with the Summit Utilities Commercial & Industrial Solutions Program to improve their existing equipment and energy efficiency.

Representatives from Summit Utilities’ Commercial & Industrial Solutions Program first audited the facility in 2018 and calculated the potential savings for upgrading the burners. The representatives agreed that the upgrade would be effective for saving natural gas. The first burner upgrade was completed in the spring of 2019 and the final upgrade in the spring of 2022.

The combined projects are expected to save more than 325,000 therms per year, which is equivalent to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 4,268,339 miles driven by an average gasoline powered passenger vehicle.

“As a company, we’re committed to continuous improvement and sustainability. These equipment upgrades improve both operational and energy efficiency and represent a significant reduction in environmental impact,” noted JW Aluminum Plant Manager, Kole Grey. “We appreciate Summit working with us by providing incentives and an avenue for us to save energy for years to come. That is an invaluable asset to our company, and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”

“Summit is committed to saving our customers both energy and money,” said Lance Orton, Senior Energy Efficiency Consultant for Summit Utilities. “We appreciate the opportunity to work with JW Aluminum to identify and implement opportunities for them to improve their facility in Russellville, and we are pleased to present them with the incentives to assist in upgrading that facility.”

At the heart of American manufacturing for over 40 years, JW Aluminum produces infinitely recyclable aluminum sheet and foil used to make products essential to our everyday lives, like the building products and HVAC components that keep our homes comfortable and safe. Teammates at our Goose Creek, South Carolina and Russellville, Arkansas facilities process the aluminum to support these vital industries. The JW Aluminum team is committed to working safely every day to secure a safe and sustainable future for our teammates, customers, communities and ultimately, American manufacturing.

The Summit Utilities Commercial & Industrial Solutions Program helps customers save energy and money by providing no-cost facility improvement recommendations and financial incentives based on the total amount of energy saved by those improvements.

Visit www.jwaluminum.com for more information.

To learn more about the program and the incentives and rebates available to Summit Utilities commercial customers, please visit their website: https://summitutilities.com/ARRebates.

Summit finalized its acquisition of CenterPoint Energy’s distribution assets in Arkansas, Oklahoma and the Texarkana, Texas area on January 10, 2022. The gas distribution systems included in the transaction serve approximately 525,000 customers in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, and include 17,000 miles of gas main pipeline across those three states. As part of the acquisition, Summit has welcomed nearly 600 CenterPoint team members to the company. Throughout 2022, Summit and CenterPoint will work together to migrate all operations and services to Summit. During that transition period, CenterPoint will continue to provide certain services to customers on behalf of Summit including aspects of billing, customer support and marketing. Summit Utilities, Inc. owns natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries that operate in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company provides safe, clean and affordable natural gas to businesses and residents in six states through Arkansas Oklahoma Gas, Colorado Natural Gas, Summit Natural Gas of Maine, Summit Natural Gas of Missouri, Summit Utilities Arkansas, and Summit Utilities Oklahoma. Each of Summit’s natural gas distribution and transmission subsidiaries constructs and installs natural gas distribution systems with the goal of supporting economic development by providing clean-burning, safe and reliable natural gas to residential and commercial customers through exceptional customer service and commitment to community. Overall, Summit entities serve approximately 625,000 customers and operate more than 23,400 miles of pipeline.