All News Releases By Date

Fort Hood Joins EPA Partnership, Pledges Mercury Reduction

Release Date: 10/23/2006
Contact Information: Dave Bary or Tressa Tillman at 214-665-2200

(Dallas, Texas - October 23, 2006) On October 26, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will present a plaque to the U.S. Army’s Fort Hood, in Texas, marking the installation’s entrance into the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities. Fort Hood joined the program pledging to eliminate mercury- containing light bulbs across the installation and to reduce the use of mercury-containing batteries in addition to their current recycling programs.

“Fort Hood and the U.S. Army are leading the nation in joining this voluntary program and partnering with EPA to increase public health protections and environmental improvements,” EPA Regional Administrator Richard E. Greene said. “Reducing hazardous material is a good environmental strategy. By joining this program, Fort Hood is not only protecting the environment, but also showing their concern for all those who work and live in their community.”

Fort Hood is the first U.S. Army installation in the nation to join the NPEP, a voluntary program in which private and public organizations work with EPA to reduce the use or release of any of 31 priority chemicals beyond the requirements of environmental regulations. These chemicals are long-lasting substances that can build up in the food chain and harm humans and the environment.

“This is a great accomplishment for Ford Hood to be the first Army installation to join this program. As a leader in the Army, we encourage other installations to join and continue their environmental stewardship,” Fort Hood Directorate of Public Works Chief of Environmental Programs Steve Burrow said. “Joining the NPEP program demonstrates one of the many ways that Ford Hood takes a proactive approach in its environmental performance and incorporating the Army’s strategy for the environment - sustain the mission, secure the future.”

More information about NPEP may be found at: www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/partnership.htm