The CHS refinery at McPherson, Kan., has earned ENERGY STAR certification from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is the first time the refinery has received the certification, which is awarded to industrial facilities that have demonstrated exceptional energy efficiency and environmental performance.

"We are proud to have achieved this milestone," says Rhett Heflin, vice president of refining, who leads the McPherson team. "It's a testament to our commitment to continued operational excellence, safety and ongoing efficiency efforts over time. We are committed to continuing our efforts to improve energy efficiency at the refinery and celebrate this achievement while maintaining our focus on providing value for our farmer-owners."

The McPherson refinery earned ENERGY STAR certification by scoring in the top 25% of comparably sized refiners for energy efficiency (using the Energy Intensity Index). The certification comes with several benefits, including use of the ENERGY STAR plant certification mark and listing in a national registry of certified facilities. To qualify for the one-year certification, the refinery participated in a Solomon study, which analyzes the refinery to measure performance. The survey data was verified by a professional engineer and submitted to the EPA.

"This designation speaks to our efforts across CHS to continue on our sustainability journey," says Heflin. "I expect our work in this area to grow."