The electric power used by Volvo’s New River Valley (NRV) assembly plant in Dublin, Va., is now carbon neutral, according to Volvo Group North America. As of November, 100% of the plant’s electricity is generated by methane gas produced at 13 landfills in the region.
Volvo noted that the fossil fuels previously used to generate the NRV plant’s electricity in 2013 produced 40,408 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Volvo’s electricity provider now uses landfill gas to produce power for the plant that otherwise would have required fossil fuels to produce.
“We are proud that Volvo’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond producing fuel-efficient trucks,” said Göran Nyberg, president, Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “Our customers can be assured that we strive for energy efficiency every step of the way.”
“I want to congratulate the entire NRV team for their contributions to our core values of quality, safety and environmental care and their work toward creating a better future for our shareholders, our customers and our people,” said Franky Marchand, vice president and general manager of the NRV plant. “Today, our electricity is produced without any additional CO2, contributing to an improved environment for our community. The trash of the past is the methane gas that fuels our plant today.”
The NRV plants energy conservation efforts have been recognized with certification under both ISO 50001 standards and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Superior Energy Platinum (SEP) program, according to Volvo.
