IUE-CWA (International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine & Furniture Workers and the Communications Workers of America) President James Clark has been honored as a “Champion of Change for Corporate Environmental Responsibility” by the Obama Administration.

Clark is cited for his Union’s work in helping to train Union Members to identify Energy Efficiency Opportunities that improve Environmental Performance and the Competitiveness of Manufacturing.

IUE-CWA formed an innovative partnership with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) and developed a pilot program to have Front-Line Workers conduct the so-called Energy Efficiency Treasure Hunts.

In a joint process they initiate with management, the Union Members analyze energy use in the building systems and the production process, identify waste and come up with solutions to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.

For an average one-time implementation investment of only $34,500, the Union said, its Treasure Hunt Program achieves annual utility savings of $97,500, on average, and saves an average of 779 metric tons of carbon annually.

Read more here.

The White House Champions of Change program highlights the stories and examples of people who are out-innovating, out-educating and out-building the rest of the world through projects and initiatives that move their communities forward.