May 17, 2004—Members of a voluntary public-private partnership were recognized recently for exemplary environmental performance. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented awards to nine members of the National Environmental Performance Track program, and welcomed 64 new members at a ceremony in Baltimore.
EPA Deputy Administrator Stephen L. Johnson commended Performance Track’s 344 members for their continued commitment to environmental stewardship beyond simple compliance, and for strengthening the relationship between business and government. Johnson also unveiled the 2004 Performance Track Progress Report detailing members’ achievements, including reducing energy use by 3.1 million BTUs, water use by 775 million gallons, and solid waste by 176,126 tons.
Environmental performance awards:
- Baxter Healthcare, Inc., Guayama, Puerto Rico;
- Pfizer, Inc., Lititz, Pennsylvania;
- Bridgestone-Firestone, Graniteville, South Carolina; and
- The City of Scottsdale, Arizona.
The principle evaluation criteria for this award were progress made towards performance goals and the breadth and challenge level of the member’s performance commitments. This evaluation was supplemented with consideration of the member’s Annual Performance Report quality, community outreach efforts, and compliance history.
Extraordinary efforts in outreach:
- American Ref-Fuel Company, Hempstead, Westbury, New York;
- DuPont—Spruance Plant, Richmond, Virginia;
- Pfizer, Inc.—Lincoln, Nebraska; and
- Texas Instruments—Sensors and Controls, Attleboro, Massachusetts. Outreach award winners make a special effort to inform the public about what it means to be a Performance Track member through presentations, promotional materials, and employee awareness.
Director’s Award for Mentoring:
- New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc., Peterborough, New Hampshire; for assisting small facilities with environmental management system training.
Johnson also announced the first Performance Track Rule, which grants member facilities flexibility in complying with certain air emission requirements, and with certain hazardous waste storage requirements that will help reduce transportation costs. Performance Track members’ history of strong compliance, commitment to measurable improvement, and effectiveness in environmental management distinguishes them from other regulated facilities. Current estimates indicate the rule will save facilities approximately $707,000 over the next three years.
For more information about the Performance Track program, visit EPA.
