INDIANAPOLIS, April 4, 2024 – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized CountryMark’s Mt. Vernon, Indiana refinery as an ENERGY STAR® certified facility for 2023. CountryMark’s refinery earned this certification by ranking in the top 25% of energy efficiency in the manufacturing sector.

“Consumers have a choice when it comes to transportation fuels,” said CountryMark President and CEO Matt Smorch. “We seek to refine and market fuels that exceed consumer expectations on fuel mileage and reliability, as well as environmental benefits.”

CountryMark’s outstanding commitments to energy efficiency and environmental compliance at the refinery distinguished the facility as a leader in energy and environmental management. This is the first time the refinery has received the certification.

“Over the last three to five years, the refinery has invested capital funds into improving fired heater performance,” said Thomas Noah, CountryMark refinery director. “We have invested in heat exchanger improvements which have increased our ability to recover energy that would have been previously lost.”

The performance of the refinery reduced 2023 natural gas consumption on a per barrel basis by over 25% in 2023 compared to the baseline period. This equates to the same energy consumption of nearly 7,000 U.S. homes in a year.

“The diligent operational monitoring and prompt maintenance completed by our refinery operations and maintenance teams as well as their skills in operating and maintaining our assets was crucial to achieving the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of our assets,” Noah said.

Energy performance was assessed using the Solomon Associates Energy Intensity Index scoring system. CountryMark’s score demonstrated energy efficiency greater than 75% of similar facilities nationwide.


About CountryMark

CountryMark is an American-owned oil exploration, production, refining, and marketing company headquartered in Indianapolis. The company owns and operates an oil refinery in Mt. Vernon, Indiana, which brings to the market 530 million gallons of finished fuel products per year. Fuels are distributed via four company-owned fuel terminals as well as from positions at five additional fuel terminals. The oil production division of the company produces 1,100 barrels of crude oil per day. CountryMark supplies farms, commercial accounts and more than 125 retail fueling stations throughout the Midwest via a network of member owners and branded dealers. The company also markets $22 million worth of proprietary lubricants and energy equipment. For more information, visit countrymark.com.