Format: 2013-05-19
Format: 2013-05-19
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Corporate Responsibility

The Big Lift

By Rick Johnson
Nov152012

Our project to install a 2.5 megawatt wind turbine at Applied’s Varian Semiconductor Equipment site at Gloucester, MA is nearing completion.

Last month we posted a time-lapse video showing the transport of one of the 160-foot long rotor blades through the streets of Gloucester.

Now, here are some snapshots from the process of mounting the rotor assembly to the nacelle which sits atop the 328 foot tall tower. With National Grid approval scheduled for November 26 we’re just days away from throwing the switch!

Click through to see all the photographs.

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Corporate Responsibility

Something BIG is Happening...

By Rick Johnson
Oct222012

A “sneak peek” of the much anticipated 2.5 megawatt wind turbine — one of the largest turbines on the eastern seaboard — which is making its way to the Applied Materials Gloucester, MA site!

When completed, the installation of the wind turbine will supply greater than 30% of the site’s electricity and reduce site operating expenses by more than $1 million annually. What’s more, 99% of the power generated by the turbine will be used on-site, resulting in a 34% projected reduction in CO2 emissions—greatly reducing Applied’s carbon footprint.

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Corporate Responsibility

Applied recognized in CR Magazine’s 13th Annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List

By Bruce Klafter
Apr202012

I’m honored to announce that Applied Materials was once again recognized in Corporate Responsibility Magazine’s annual 100 Best Corporate Citizens List, one of the world’s top corporate responsibility rankings.

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Corporate Responsibility

Harnessing the Power of Wind

By Rick Johnson
Apr192012

In recognition of Earth Day — a day to appreciate the earth’s natural environment and remind us to be smarter about the resources we use— I thought I’d tell you about an exciting project I am very proud to be spearheading, which will once again demonstrate Applied Materials’ leadership in renewable energy and the company’s commitment to corporate responsibility.

Applied’s Varian Semiconductor Equipment business unit is moving full steam ahead with the installation of a 2.5 megawatt wind turbine at the Gloucester, MA site—one of the largest turbines on the eastern seaboard at one of the strongest land-based wind production sites in the state.

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Corporate Responsibility

International World Water Day: Water is a Global Issue

By Martin Gothberg
Mar222012

In honor of International World Water Day and with the ever-present backdrop of water as a precious, dwindling resource, I couldn’t help but reflect on the innovative technology which has enabled water managers across the world to gain greater insights on regional water resources and distribution. It is encouraging to hear that today’s technology has resulted in more sophisticated and more powerful tools that are improving water distribution, and therefore the way we live.

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Emerging Technologies

Life in the Fast Lane – Electric Vehicle Observations

By Bruce Klafter
Jan102012

Recently I had the opportunity to use a Nissan Leaf™ for several full days, a much more interesting exercise than a simple test drive. As someone working in the sustainability area, as a co-chair of the California Clean Cars campaign and as a likely car buyer in 2012 (my current vehicle has over 230,000 miles on it) I am very interested in the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Nissan’s Leaf™ is among the handful of low emission cars that are presently authorized to carry a Clean Air Vehicle Sticker, entitling a single occupant to use the carpool lanes during rush hours – a very nice side benefit to EV ownership that helped speed my commute this week.

My general impression of EV driving is very favorable.

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Solar

Reflecting on the 41st Anniversary of the Clean Air Act

By Bruce Klafter
Dec152011

At this time of year, when many of us will be traveling to visit families--either by plane, train or automobile, it is worth reflecting upon one of the United States’ seminal pieces of environmental legislation, the Clean Air Act.

The Clean Air Act, established in 1970, is celebrating its 41st anniversary this December 17.

In 1970, California’s population was only 20 million. During that same decade, in 1975, the Los Angeles basin recorded 118 Stage 1 smog alerts. By 1980 the state’s population had reached 24 million and 17 million automobiles racked up over 155 billion vehicle miles (!) By 2010 our population reached over 38 million, a doubling from 1970, but many air quality statistics demonstrate some remarkable improvements: the number of smog alerts in the South Coast has fallen by over 95% and some years have seen zero such incidents; emissions of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from cars are down 200,000 tons from the peak in 1990 despite vehicle miles growing to 280 billion miles annually.

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Corporate Responsibility

The Future of Social and Environmental Responsibility

By Bruce Klafter
Nov42011

A gathering of 2000+ twenty-somethings these days is usually a rave party or another edition of Occupy Wall Street. The gathering I attended last week in Portland, Oregon, however, was something much different, it was a convening of young people from universities around the country and abroad, all of whom are vitally interested in using business skills to tackle the world’s toughest problems.

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Solar

Applied Materials Named to Newsweek’s Annual Green Rankings

By Bruce Klafter
Oct172011

For the third year in a row, Applied Materials has been named to NEWSWEEK Magazine’s Green Rankings – an annual environmental ranking of the 500 largest U.S. companies.

Newsweek made some significant changes to the ranking methodology this year and, consequently there was quite a bit of musical chairs in the results. One change in the methodology that undoubtedly proved important was the elimination of a reputation score and the addition of a disclosure score (evaluating the breadth and quality of company environmental reporting).

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Solar

Solar Innovation Shines

By Mark Walker
Oct72011

Thunder storms and muggy weather didn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the Solar Decathletes in Washington, DC last week. The teams representing 19 universities from around the world competed to build the most energy efficient, affordable and attractive solar-powered home – not easy given the conditions!

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Corporate Responsibility

Building on Innovation: Solar Decathlon 2011

By Mark Walker
Sep142011

After two years of planning, many sleepless nights, and crash courses in construction, the university teams competing in this year’s Department of Energy Solar Decathlon are ready to build!

The Team Meeting to kick off the competition brought all the students together for the first time for final instructions, a good meal, and pep talks on Tuesday evening. I was pleased to represent Applied Materials, a sponsor of the Solar Decathlon, at the event to share our company’s pride in the teams’ accomplishments to date and our interest in learning more about their solar-inspired innovations during the decathlon which runs through the end of this month in Washington, DC.

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Corporate Responsibility

Applied Materials Supports The Solar Decathlon

By Mark Walker
Jul282011

Applied Materials has a history of supporting the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon, an award-winning program that challenges 20 collegiate teams to design, build, and operate solar-powered houses that are cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive. The winner of the competition is the team that best blends affordability, consumer appeal, and design excellence with optimal energy production and maximum efficiency.

As a leader in scaling green manufacturing, Applied Materials is pleased to sponsor this year's solar decathlon competition in Washington, D.C. and as founding partner to the launch of the first Solar Decathlon in China in 2013.

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