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EPA honors Wyoming environmental leaders

Release Date: 7/27/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303-312-6331,

Release Date: 7/27/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303-312-6314,

Release Date: 7/27/2001
Contact Information:
EPA 303-312-6603

Denver -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is recognizing outstanding contributions to environmental protection in Wyoming by presenting achievement awards to Jackson Community Recycling and to Laurie Goodman of Ultra Petroleum, Inc. EPA officials will present the awards to each during upcoming events.

Jackson Community Recycling for establishing a much-needed, permanent household hazardous waste collection facility for the Jackson Hole community. Before 1999, residents of Jackson Hole had no convenient means to properly dispose of a rapidly increasing amount of household hazardous waste. Much of this waste was being dumped illegally down drains, in fields, hidden in trash, etc. These practices were placing the sensitive ecosystems of nearby Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park in great jeopardy. The waste was being washed into waterways, threatening the drinking water of the community and those downstream. It also had the potential to irreparably damage the habitat of thousands of birds, plants, animals and fish found in both national parks.

Jackson Community Recycling, a public nonprofit organization located in Jackson Hole, identified the need for a free, efficient and convenient household hazardous waste collection/recycling facility for the community. On July 6, 1999, the facility began operations. Within the first 15 months, the facility collected 6,086 gallons and 30 tons of household hazardous waste, which could have otherwise been disposed of unsafely. Jackson Community Recycling is working to educate residents about matters related to waste and on the merits of recycling, composting, reuse and source-reduction. It also is working with other businesses to encourage the use of recycled materials.

Laurie Goodman, Air Quality Environmental Protection Specialist for Ultra Petroleum, Inc., for superior performance in protecting the air quality in Wyoming's Fitzpatrick and Bridger Class I Wilderness Areas. In 1999, Ultra Petroleum proposed developing its gas leases on federal and private lands near Pinedale, Wyoming -- which is adjacent to the wilderness areas. Local residents were concerned the project would harm air quality and visibility in the wilderness areas. Goodman convinced her company to devise a plan that would minimize the impact of the company's activities and worked with engineers from her company and regulatory agencies to develop the plan. Despite applying the best technology available, the project still would release 250 tons per year of nitrogen oxides that could impact the wilderness area.

This did not satisfy Goodman. To further cut the potential pollution, she spearheaded an agreement between Ultra and PacifiCorp to jointly install low nitrogen dioxide burners on its Naughton power plant. The two companies agreed to split the multi-million dollar cost of these new controls, which went well beyond existing requirements. This agreement resulted in nitrogen dioxide emissions reductions of one to two tons per year. Because of Goodman's leadership, the impact of Ultra's gas development project is offset by a margin of more than four to one. Rather than harming the air, her innovative agreement resulted in air quality improvement in and around the wilderness area.

The Wyoming award-winners were among 65 groups or individuals EPA recognized in its six-state region (WY, CO, UT, MT, SD, ND).

"These awards recognize the outstanding efforts and commitment to protecting the environment by individuals and organizations in Wyoming," said Jack McGraw, EPA's Acting Regional Administrator in Denver. "Our hope is that the leadership demonstrated by these award winners will influence others to make tangible differences in protecting public health and the environment in their own communities."

Editors: for details on any awardee, please contact his/her nominator:

Jackson Community Recycling Samantha Eddy 307-733-7678
Laurie Goodman Larry Svoboda 303-312-6604