MOBIL CORPORATION

The document outlines how Fred Schoeneborn, Mobil's Facilities Management Coordinator, successfully implemented the EPA's Green Lights lighting retrofit program. Despite lacking direct authority over facilities managers, Schoeneborn used a five-step model: proving the initiative's viability through a small-scale pilot at the Princeton facility, securing publicized corporate commitment, building a peer-to-peer communication network, providing incentives through high-level recognition and awards, and utilizing a 'train-the-trainer' method to distribute technical expertise. These efforts led Mobil to complete the program two years ahead of schedule, investing $2.17 million for annual savings of over $1.13 million. The success of this initiative informed a broader energy management policy, including a commitment to save $25 million annually over five years through energy efficiency projects.

• Mobil Corporation successfully implemented the EPA's Green Lights program two years ahead of schedule, investing $2.17 million in lighting upgrades to achieve annual savings exceeding $1.13 million.
• To overcome the lack of direct authority over facilities managers, Fred Schoeneborn used a pilot project at the Princeton facility to provide proof of significant savings, reducing the perceived risk for other managers.
• Schoeneborn incentivized facilities managers—who were typically viewed as cost-centers—by providing high-visibility recognition from top management and the EPA, including 'Execute Energy Efficiency' awards for facilities saving over $1 million or cutting usage by 5%.
• Technical expertise was disseminated through a 'train-the-trainer' model where trained facilities managers traveled to other sites to teach their colleagues the Green Lights auditing procedure.
• Following the Green Lights success, Mobil established a comprehensive energy management policy and committed to saving $25 million annually for five years through energy efficiency projects, having already saved approximately $22.4 million in 1995.

APA

Day, R., & Arnold, M. (1996). MOBIL CORPORATION. World Resources Institute. https://pdf.wri.org/bell/tn_1-56973-157-8_teaching_note_english.pdf

Chicago

Day, Robert, and Mathew Arnold. MOBIL CORPORATION. World Resources Institute, 1996. https://pdf.wri.org/bell/tn_1-56973-157-8_teaching_note_english.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Day |first1=Robert |last2=Arnold |first2=Mathew |title=MOBIL CORPORATION |publisher=World Resources Institute |date=1996 |url=https://pdf.wri.org/bell/tn_1-56973-157-8_teaching_note_english.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{day1996mobil, author = {Day, Robert and Arnold, Mathew}, title = {{MOBIL CORPORATION}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {1996}, url = {https://pdf.wri.org/bell/tn_1-56973-157-8_teaching_note_english.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }