All News Releases By Date

 

EPA SELECTS 23 NEW MEMBERS FOR PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE TRACK PROGRAM; PROPOSES RULE TO PROVIDE MORE INCENTIVES

Release Date: 08/23/2002
Contact Information:





Environmental News

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Whitman today announced the acceptance of 23 new members into the National Environmental Performance Track Program. Launched in June 2000, Performance Track now has nearly 300 members who are recognized for their commitment to sound environmental management and continuous environmental improvement.

“Partnerships are critical to achieving our shared goals for the environment and enabling us to bring the future of environmental protection to bear on the challenges we face today,” Whitman said. “That is what we are doing with Performance Track. Through this program, EPA recognizes and rewards top environmental performers who use creativity and innovation to voluntarily go beyond current requirements.”

Performance Track is a voluntary partnership program that recognizes and encourages top environmental performers—public and private entities that voluntarily go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and commit to continuous environmental improvement. Facilities in this program consistently meet their legal requirements, have implemented environmental management systems to monitor and improve performance, have voluntarily achieved environmental improvements beyond compliance and publicly commit to specific environmental improvements and report on progress. With their membership in Performance Track, members receive a range of incentives such as public recognition and low inspection priority to motivate further improvements.

EPA recently proposed a rule, published in the Federal Register on Aug. 13, that would reduce regulatory paperwork for Performance Track facilities. The Agency is proposing these changes in recognition
of the high levels of performance these facilities have achieved and their continuing commitment to effective compliance, public outreach and environmental results. The proposed incentives would allow Performance Track facilities to store hazardous waste up to 180 days without obtaining a permit under the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) or having interim status, and simplify their reporting under the Maximum Available Control Technology provisions of the Clean Air Act (CAA). They would also allow reporting modifications for Performance Track facilities that are Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs) regulated by the Clean Water Act (CWA). Additionally, EPA is soliciting comments on a potential pilot project that would allow Performance Track facilities to consolidate reporting of data that are routinely submitted under the CAA, CWA, RCRA and Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-know Act into a single report.

Current Performance Track facilities have committed to lowering emissions of greenhouse gases by 26 million pounds; reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds by 98,000 pounds; reducing solid waste by 225 million pounds; and recycling or reusing more than five million pounds of materials. The new members have committed to reducing water use, solid waste, hazardous waste and energy use. They include facilities from companies that are already participating in Performance Track, such as International Paper, Dow, Ricoh Electronics, and 3M. Companies new to the program include Eaton Corp., Ryder Integrated Logistics, and Madison Precision Products. They also include a hospital—the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.

New Performance Track Members:


Alabama
International Paper, Courtland Mill
Courtland, Alabama

Arkansas
Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control-Camden
East Camden, AR

California
Ricoh Electronics, Inc.
Office Machine Group
Tustin, CA

Georgia
REI Ricoh Electronics, Inc.
Georgia Plant
Lawrenceville, GA

Illinois
Eaton Corporation
Rochelle, IL

Indiana
Madison Precision Products, Inc.
Madison, IN

Mississippi
Arizona Chemical Company
Picayune, MS

Missouri
3M Company - Nevada
Nevada, MO

New Jersey
Carneys Point Generating Plant
PG&E National Energy Group
Carneys Point, NJ

Logan Generating Company, LP
PG&E National Energy Group
Swedesboro, NJ

New York
Hempstead Resource Recovery Facility
American Ref-Fuel Company
Westbury, NY

Ohio
Grob Systems, Inc.
Machine Tool Division
Blufton, OH

Oklahoma
Covercraft Industries, Inc.
Pauls Valley, OK

South Carolina
International Paper, Georgetown Mill
Georgetown, SC

Ultra Additives, Incorporated
Clover, SC

Texas
International Paper, Texarkana Mill
Domino, TX

Rockwell Collins, Inc.
Richardson, TX

Ryder System, Inc.
El Paso, TX

Ryder System, Inc.
Laredo, TX

The University of Texas
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, TX

Washington
SEH America, Inc.
Vancouver, WA

West Virginia
Dow West Virginia Operations, South Charleston Site
The Dow Chemical Company
South Charleston, WV

Wisconsin
3M Company - Menomonie
Menomonie, WI