IBT & Baldor

The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) was enacted by the 110^th Congress and signed it into law on December 19, 2007 by President George W. Bush. The Law becomes effective on December 19, 2010.

Image courtesy of Dept of Energy

The stated purpose of the act is “to move the United States toward greater energy independence and security, to increase the production of clean renewable fuels, to protect consumers, to increase the efficiency of products, buildings, and vehicles, to promote research on and deploy greenhouse gas capture and storage options, and to improve the energy performance of the Federal Government, and for other purposes."

The final law is huge: 313 pages, encompassing improved vehicle fuel economy, increased production of biofuels, improved standards for appliance and lighting, energy savings in buildings and industry, energy savings in government and public institutions, accelerated research and development, carbon capture and sequestration, improved management of energy policy, international energy programs, green jobs, energy transportation and infrastructure, small business energy programs and "smart grid."

One portion of EISA, in Title III, deals specifically with electric motor efficiency, focusing on motors that range from one to five hundred horsepower. Read an overview of EISA.

As a major producer of motors, Baldor has been closely monitoring the situation. The company has been working on their plan to meet the requirements of EISA and to be ready well in advance of the effective date.

Image courtesy of Baldor

Baldor will offer customers two broad lines of energy-efficient motors:

• The upgraded standard motor line at the EISA efficiency levels
• Baldor’s Super-E^® line of premium-efficiency motors which provide even greater energy savings for those customers who with to purchase motors with the industry’s highest level of efficiency.

It is Baldor's intention to make compliance with EISA simple and easy to understand for customers. They will not find it necessary to introduce a new line of motors, as their existing Super-E premium efficient motors already meet or exceed the NEMA Premium^® efficiency level requirements mandated by the new Act.

Since the “energy crunch” of the 1970s, Baldor has been a leader in improving motor efficiencies. In 1976, Baldor was the first motor manufacturer to include a motor’s efficiency rating on the nameplate of every motor built. In that same year, Baldor received the Merit Award from the United States Government.

In the 1980s, Baldor introduced their Super-E line of premium efficiency motors, which offer customers some of the highest energy efficiency levels available in motors. This broad line includes general-purpose TEFC and ODP ratings, as well as, explosion-proof, severe duty, Washdown, close-coupled pump, and other special designs. These Baldor-Reliance Super-E motors meet or exceed efficiencies required by EISA today.

In late 2010, Baldor will upgrade their existing line of standard motors to meet the EISA requirements. This will encompass nearly 2,000 stock motor ratings and several thousand additional custom specifications. Any motors produced prior to December 19, 2010 do not need to comply with EISA levels and may be sold.

We will keep you up-to-date on Baldor and their plans for EISA as the time for compliance draws nearer. In the meantime, you can get additional information about their motors from your IBT sales rep or by email.