When it comes to jewelry, copper is definitely less valuable than gold or silver. In the world of assembly, however, copper is much more in demand. Its uses range from electrical conductors in wire, to solar-cell foundations, to sheet metal products for commercial and residential applications.

ORION, MI—GM’s assembly plant here saves $1 million annually by using renewable energy sources and now ranks as the 8th largest user of “green power” in the United States.

MACUNGIE, PA—The Mack Trucks assembly plant here is among the sites helping Volvo Group North America achieve its goal of reduced energy consumption under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Better Plants Challenge five years earlier than expected.

WASHINGTON—Nine automotive assembly plants are among 70 US manufacturing facilities that have achieved Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency for their superior energy performance in 2014. Together, these 70 factories cut their energy bills by $725 million and reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 8 million metric tons.

BELVIDERE, IL— Chrysler’s assembly plant here has received a $1.3 million rebate from the local natural gas provider as a result of implementing three gas-saving projects.

VERNON HILLS, IL—Mitsubishi Electric Automation has launched a Web site to address the energy challenges faced by the manufacturing sector. The site provides tools, white papers and energy reduction solutions for a variety of manufacturing industries.

WESTFORD, MA—Bluestone Energy Services has helped contract manufacturer Mack Technologies substantially reduce energy consumption in its assembly plant here with a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit.