Marathon’s Anacortes Refinery Shines at ENERGY STAR Industrial Showcase

Key Points

• Marathon’s Anacortes refinery hosted an ENERGY STAR® Industrial Showcase to celebrate its achievements in energy management and sustainability.
• The event featured guest speakers, including local officials, and showcased initiatives like NOx emissions reduction, real-time operational data software, and LED lighting installations.
• Employees highlighted the refinery's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts at educational booths set up for the event.

October 13, 2025 /3BL/ - Marathon’s Anacortes, Washington, refinery hosted an ENERGY STAR® Industrial Showcase in September in recognition of its achievements in energy management practices.

“Our teams at Anacortes have worked especially hard in recent years to extend the site’s success in lowering energy consumption, emissions and water use,” said Cameron Hunt, Vice President of Refining, Anacortes refinery. “Their efforts have helped earn six consecutive ENERGY STAR® certifications from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for energy efficiency performance in the top 25% of our nationwide peer group.”

The Anacortes refinery team hosted the Industrial Showcase on the refinery grounds to celebrate its progress and promote MPC’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

"In a place like Anacortes, surrounded by incredible natural beauty, it matters that industry is focusing on sustainability and stepping forward with innovation and responsibility. " - Anacortes Mayor Matt Miller

Event participants from throughout the region included regulatory agencies’ staff, elected officials, area Tribal members, local utility board members and other key stakeholders. Also in attendance were representatives of MPC’s Refining organization and private companies that make products that help Anacortes achieve our sustainability goals. Guest speakers included Anacortes Mayor Matt Miller and Skagit County Commissioner Peter Browning.

“Thank you for being such a positive part of our Skagit County community,” said Browning in his address to attendees. “Marathon has a huge impact on our community through support of our schools, local government and nonprofit organizations.”

Employees conducted refinery tours and staffed exhibit booths to explain initiatives that are helping advance sustainability at the Anacortes refinery. Some of the initiatives included:

• Reducing emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) – The site used selective non-catalytic reduction technology that targeted a carbon monoxide boiler to lower NOx emissions by 31% or 321 tons per year.
• Energy management software – The application provides real-time operational data to identify the most efficient ways of managing process equipment. To date, the estimated cost savings for 2025 are on a path to exceed $1 million.
• LED lighting – The refinery’s ongoing installation of LED lights has reduced electricity usage in line with the utility’s incentive program.

“This event highlighted that we have created a culture of sustainability and gave us a chance to demonstrate this to our community leaders,” said Melissa McPherson, Marathon Refining Engineer and event organizer. “Our employees were able to engage with guests and answer questions and educate them about how we are making a difference.”