Reminder: AFIA Energy Management Guidelines Available for Use

Source: American Feed Industry Association

In order to assist the feed industry in the conservation of resources, preservation of our environment and reduction of cost in the area of energy management, the American Feed Industry Association offers an up-to-date "Energy Management Guidance Document." The six-chapter guide was updated in fall 2014 by AFIA's Production Compliance, Equipment Manufacturer and Integrator committees and covers state regulations, the organization and development of an energy management program, feed industry audits, calculating energy cost and methods for conserving energy.

The document is designed to help feed manufacturing facilities understand how to develop benchmarks within their companies and offers suggestions for improvement based on the findings.

Key areas the document provides details on are:

• Calculation of electric bills and how to reduce electricity usage in a feed facility;

• Energy audits specific to natural gas consumption, operating temperatures of a boiler, peak demand usage and more; and

• The proper maintenance of boilers within a mill, especially if operators are pelleting feed or flaking grains.

The original guidance document, "Energy Conservation Plan for Feed Manufacturers," has been assisting members--with various updates--since 1977.

For more information about the guidance document, please contact Gary Huddleston, AFIA manager of feed manufacturing safety and environmental affairs, at (703) 666-8854.