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Enhanced Energy Efficiency

We collaborate with federal and regional agencies and organizations to implement energy efficiency opportunities. In 2008, we utilized the U.S. Department of Energy Save Energy Now program to identify pumping and steam opportunities. We expanded our structured best practices approach for lighting and compressed air in 2008. These best practices capture both operational and technological saving measures, and improve awareness in sustainable energy efficiency.

Weyerhaeuser continued systematically evaluating energy use within our operating facilities to identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings. In 2008, our businesses' energy efficiency champions continued to work closely with the corporate energy management group to prioritize our energy efficiency efforts. This approach has led to an increased awareness within our company of energy efficiency opportunities, including both behavioral and technology improvements.

2008 accomplishments included:

  • Starting up two new sawmills in the Pacific Northwest incorporating both innovative and best-practice efficiency measures that reduce annual electrical energy use by more than 15,000,000 kWh and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by 2,500 metric tons.
  • Implementing more than 3,500,000 kWh in sustainable electrical usage reduction via compressed air best practices, reducing 725,000 kg of CO2.
  • Achieving more than 6,000,000 kWh in sustainable electrical usage reduction via process systems retrofits, reducing 1,137,000 kg of CO2.
  • Upgrading energy efficiency in our Federal Way, Wa. technology center, with an estimated result of 5.5 percent reduction in annual energy use.
Energy Use
Millions of BTUs per ton of production at Weyerhaeuser's manufacturing operations
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Cellulose fibers1 32.5 32.5 31.5 32.8 31.1
Wood products 2.85 2.70 2.56 2.63 2.86
  1. Data reflects performance of Weyerhaeuser’s 2009 portfolio of cellulose fibers mills. In March 2007, Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper business and related assets were combined with Domtar Inc. to create a new fine paper company, Domtar Corporation. In August 2008, Weyerhaeuser’s containerboard, packaging and recycling business was sold to International Paper. Operations involved in those transactions have been removed from historical data.

Cellulose Fiber Mill Energy Use
Millions of BTUs per ton of production1
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Fossil fuel consumption 4.1 4.2 2.7 3.9 3.9
Biomass fuel energy from chemical-recovery process and manufacturing residuals 24.8 24.7 24.1 25.1 23.7
Purchased electricity 2.7 2.7 3.7 2.7 2.6
Purchased steam 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.0 1.0
Total energy consumed per ton of production 32.5 32.5 31.5 32.8 31.1
Percentage of energy consumed generated from biomass fuel 76% 76% 77% 77% 76%

Wood Products Facilities Energy Use
Millions of BTUs per ton of production at Weyerhaeuser's wood products facilities
2004 2005 2006 20071 2008
Fossil fuel consumption 0.63 0.61 0.46 0.44 0.44
Biomass fuels 1.48 1.43 1.50 1.65 1.82
Purchased electricity 0.45 0.42 0.38 0.39 0.42
Purchased steam 0.29 0.24 0.22 0.15 0.19
Total energy consumed per ton of production 2.85 2.70 2.56 2.63 2.86
Percentage of energy consumed generated from biomass fuel 52% 53% 58% 63% 63%
  1. In March 2007, Weyerhaeuser’s fine paper business and related assets were combined with Domtar to create a new fine paper company, Domtar Corporation. Sawmills included in the Domtar transaction are not part of 2007 data.

Last updated Jun. 4, 2009.