Merck Receives 2010 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award

Merck & Co., Inc. announced that it has received a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Sustained Excellence Award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its continued efforts to protect the environment through energy efficiency.

Merck, an ENERGY STAR partner since 2004, has been recognized by the EPA for five consecutive years - twice as Partner of the Year and now for the third time for Sustained Excellence. In November 2009, Merck completed its merger with Schering-Plough Corporation. Schering-Plough was also an ENERGY STAR Partner and earned the 2009 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year award.

The 2010 ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award recognizes the accomplishments of the energy efficiency programs at Merck and Schering-Plough, and the integration of these award-winning programs into a single program that preserves and builds upon the best practices of both. "Managing energy use is consistent with Merck's values as a health care company and is critical to our business operations, " said Rodney Freeman, vice president, Global Facilities Management, Merck & Co., Inc. "Our partnership with ENERGY STAR is part of our commitment to reduce the Company's environmental footprint - including energy use improvements, reduced water use and converting to renewable resources such as solar power."

"The EPA is recognizing Merck with our highest ENERGY STAR award - the 2010 Sustained Excellence Award,” said Gina McCarthy, EPA Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. “Merck's continued leadership and commitment to energy efficiency is a testament to what we can accomplish to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect our global environment.”

Merck's world headquarters in Whitehouse Station, N.J. qualified for the ENERGY STAR label in 2007 and 2008. The legacy Schering-Plough facility in Cleveland, Tennessee earned an ENERGY STAR award in 2009 for ranking in the top 25 percent of pharmaceutical-plant energy performance nationwide. The plant used nearly 35 percent less energy than similar pharmaceutical plants across the country. Key 2009 accomplishments include:

• Achieving an improvement in energy intensity equivalent to eliminating 4,500 vehicles for one year or powering 3,000 American homes.

• Integrating two award-winning energy programs into a single management system, preserving and building on the best practices of each former program, such as rolling out an energy     project tracking database to all new Merck sites.

• Earning the ENERGY STAR for its Cleveland, TN plant, one of the first four pharmaceutical manufacturing plants in the United States.

• Focusing energy assessments on laboratory ventilation, motor efficiency, steam traps and wraps, alternative energy, and continued retro-commissioning studies.

• Promoting ENERGY STAR and energy management in public forums, including pharmaceutical trade and corporate climate meetings.

• Improving vehicle fuel efficiency in the global fleet by piloting hybrids and implementing improved fuel efficiency standards.

Source: www.merck.com, www.energystar.gov