Q&A Kelly Semrau, SC Johnson 4/4
which is approximately three times more
cost effective than using fuel cells.
SB: How difficult is it to commit to
investment when the technology
landscape is continuously advancing and
governments (such as the UK's) often
change the legislation framework?
KS: Advancements in technology
are so important, and governments
have to step up if we're going to drive
greater scale. We need energy policies
that better incentivise renewable energy,
and make it more readily available, with
competition and investment in the market
helping to make it more affordable.
Then companies like SC Johnson would
be more likely to purchase it from local
utility providers. Greater certainty is
critical, too. A year-long tax incentive
isn't meaningful or practical if it actually
takes three years to properly plan and
implement a renewable project.
In the absence of policy that makes
renewable energy more affordable for
purchase, and with technology evolving
faster than utility companies are willing
or able to upgrade their equipment,
installing on-site equipment in many cases
remains a better, longer term solution.
For example, take our wind turbines at
our largest manufacturing facility: Waxdale
in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. While the
upfront costs for installing them were high,
we're already beginning to see ROI and
reduced overall energy costs with an
approximate annual saving of $500,000
(£300,300) per year. As a company who's
long been committed to sustainability, we
believe that we have a responsibility to lead
with our choices, and share our learnings,
so that renewable energy becomes a viable
option for more companies.
Kelly M. Semrau is SC Johnson's chief
sustainability officer.
Q
A
SC Johnson's largest manufacturing facility, Waxdale
in Wisconsin, is driving annual energy savings of
$500k with its wind turbine installation
