September 26, 2008—The City of Dallas, facilities from Intel Corporation and John Deere, and Dyess and Barksdale Air Force Bases in Texas and Louisiana are among the 42 new members setting goals to go above and beyond environmental requirements as part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track Program.
For example, Dallas, the first large city government to become a member of the program, intends to reduce water use at all city sites by five percent over a three-year period, a reduction of 49 million gallons of water used, points out EPA.
Both public and private individual facilities may apply for Performance Track membership, with some companies having multiple facilities in the program. EPA also provides a Corporate Leader designation for companies and public agencies that exhibit policies and behavior at a corporate level that are associated with environmental excellence and are substantially committed to Performance Track.
Performance Track members represent a wide range of sectors, including the public sector, electronics, chemical products, pharmaceuticals, and rubber and plastics. Applicants must demonstrate and commit to maintaining a strong record of environmental compliance, set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond their legal requirements, have internal systems in place to manage environmental impacts, engage in community outreach, and consistently report results.
Performance Track facilities typically set four goals for environmental improvement. The Frito-Lay Inc. facility in Pulaski, Tennessee, for example, has set a goal to reduce non-transportation energy use by 15 percent through a series of energy-saving measures, including better utilization of waste heat, more efficient operating equipment, and installation of a building energy management system.
Since the 2000 launch of the program, Performance Track membership has grown to 548 members in 49 states and Puerto Rico. According to EPA, Performance Track members have reported greenhouse gas reductions of 310,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reductions in nitrogen oxides of 13,000 tons, and reductions of hazardous waste of 52,000 tons.
For a complete list of the 42 new members by state, visit the EPA Performance Track Web site.
