Energy costs are one of Kimberly-Clark’s largest operating expenses. There are no easy solutions to energy issues, but we can help by increasing energy efficiency and using cost-effective renewable and alternative energy sources. This helps prepare us for a future where energy supplies may be limited.

We have a long-standing commitment to reducing our energy use. Our long-term objective is to be highly energy efficient, and we use renewable energy where practical and cost effective. This is outlined in our energy management strategy.

Our Global Energy Services Team is comprised of experienced energy engineers and other energy supply professionals. Energy management efforts include evaluating energy suppliers, negotiating supply contracts , purchasing energy, assessing alternative energy projects, energy efficiency audits and implementing technical energy solutions such as combined heat and power technology.

K-C is a member of ENERGY STAR, a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. ENERGY STAR helps U.S. companies to improve competitiveness by measuring energy use, setting goals, tracking savings and recognizing improvements.

ENERGY STAR emphasizes the need for strong and strategic corporate energy management programs. It provides a host of energy management tools and strategies to help companies implement these programs. K-C has implemented and is following the energy management best practices described in the ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management.

We are also a member of the EPA Green Power Partnership, a voluntary program that helps companies increase their use of low-carbon energy by offering expert advice, technical support, tools and resources. We are 15th on the EPA’s National Top 50 list of the largest green power users. Our Everett, Washington, U.S. facility uses an innovative process to utilize waste from the facility's pulp manufacturing process to generate over 220 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of renewable energy annually. This on-site generation of green power equals over 7 percent of Kimberly Clark's purchased electricity use in the United States.

We are also an Energy Partner of the EPA Landfill Methane Outreach Program, which promotes the use of methane produced within landfills to replace fossil fuels as an energy source and thereby reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

We are also pleased that in March of 2009, Kimberly-Clark was named an Energy Star Partner of the Year for our energy management practices. Being the “best of the best” is a result of our strategic approach to energy management so that both our bottom line and the environment benefit. Companies participating in the program effectively measure current energy performance, set goals, track savings, and reward improvements.

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