In 2009, a group of federal government agencies created a framework called E3: Economy, Energy and the Environment, to help bridge that gap. E3 brings together federal agencies states and local communities for a broad discussion on how to connect respective programs to deliver responsive, coordinated solutions in a manufacturing environment.

Participating agencies include the Department of Commerce—National Institute of Standards and Technologies (NIST), The Department of Energy, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Small Business Administration, and the Department of Labor. In 2012, the Department of Agriculture joined the E3 federal agencies.

The E3 Framework facilitates collaboration among groups with a common agenda (energy, environment, economy, and manufacturing efficiency) and focuses on strengthening small to medium-sized American manufacturers.

The federal framework envisions workforce training and development will be needed to address new ways of accomplishing work flows. Loans and incentive programs will be employed to assist businesses acquire more efficient technologies, etc.

How does E3 benefit manufacturers? Read this growing list of success stories and case studies.

What are other regions doing in E3? Read these project summaries from across the United States.

Read about E3 in the Pacific Northwest.

How does E3 benefit manufacturers? Check out this growing list of success stories and case studies.

Lean process improvements have not always traditionally addressed environmental inefficiencies, nor do they always result in a higher-specialized skill workforce.   So, state agencies, nonprofit organizations, energy assistance providers , and increasingly, the MEPs themselves can partner to provide expertise to help with comprehensive efficiency and environmental improvements.

Once recommendations are made to businesses, then implementation begins, also with assistance from the northwest E3 partners.

In the Northwest, many of the above partners are meeting face to face each year and bi-monthly by conference calls to share Best Management Practices, project successes, information, and other technical and financial resources.  See the following links to find out how you can participate, or take advantage of the wealth of resources the Northwest E3 Partners and lean and green projects have to offer.

Video Case Study – Impact Washington and the Washington State Department of Ecology worked with AccraFab, a Washington manufacturing company that specializes in custom sheet metal fabrication, to reduce waste water generated in their plating process. This success story demonstrates that what was good for the environment was also very good for the bottom line.

E3 in the News

• Going Green: Midnight Sun Brewery Adopts the E-3 Initiative

Read about the E3 Federal framework.

Northwest E3 Partners

 Please contact PPRC for more information about Northwest E3 opportunities:

Call 206-352-2050 or by email.