General Motors Corp. Featured on ''The Global Learning Series''
DETROIT, Mich. & BOCA RATON, Fla.--June 5, 2006--General Motors, the largest direct, corporate user of landfill gas in the United States, is being featured this summer on television programs airing on public and cable television stations throughout the United States and on Voice of America programming internationally. The programs educate viewers about general environmental stewardship topics and also specifically look at how garbage in landfills generates a gas that is used as an energy source at seven GM facilities.GM will be featured on "The Global Learning Series" education program, distributed this summer on public television stations throughout the United States. John McGuire, Senior Producer of Programming for "The Global Learning Series" says, "We are excited about partnering with GM to educate the public as well as the corporate and environmental community about strong leadership...making the right environmental choice is clearly synonymous with making the right business choice."
"At General Motors, protecting the environment is a very important part of our business strategy," says Beth Lowery, GM vice president, Environment and Energy. "The decision to use landfill gas is a win-win situation. It is good for the environment and also is a good business decision."
If unused, landfill gas is a waste product that is released at the landfill, which contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. At General Motors facilities, the landfill gas is piped to the plant and combusted in boilers, providing a cost-effective, renewable energy source.
"Renewable energy sources represent a significant portion of GM's energy use," says Lowery. "In fact, we are one of the leading users of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector in North America. Using renewable resources reduces our reliance on fossil fuels like coal and oil."
General Motors has reduced its natural gas consumption by 21 percent since 2000 and is expected to achieve its goal of a 25 percent energy reduction by the end of 2006. The sum of landfill gas capacity at the seven GM operations using the fuel is equivalent to the energy needed to heat over 25,000 households, which represents about 1.6 trillion BTUs per year.
GM's Orion Township, Michigan, assembly plant is highlighted on cable television stations and Voice of America by producers for "The Global Learning Series" television program. Other GM facilities using landfill gas are: assembly plants located in Oklahoma City, Okla.; Fort Wayne, Ind.; Shreveport, La.; and a powertrain plant located in Toledo, Ohio. Two additional warehouse sites in Grand Blanc and Flint, Mich., utilize landfill gas by purchasing 13 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, which is generated from a landfill gas-to-electricity program.
About "The Global Learning Series"
"The Global Learning Series" is education focused, issue-oriented and non-commercial, and is independently produced and distributed directly to public television stations around the country. "The Global Learning Series" strictly follows the standards and practices of public television, and is distributed freely to public television stations in all 50 states. "The Global Learning Series" program is not affiliated with PBS.
For Program Information, contact: http://www.thegloballearningseries.tv.
About General Motors Corp.
General Motors Corp. , the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 75 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 327,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2005, 9.17 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM operates one of the world's leading finance companies, GMAC Financial Services, which offers automotive, residential and commercial financing and insurance. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at http://www.gm.com.