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EPA Regional Administrator Kenny Honors Environmental Performance Track Members

Release Date: 04/21/2004
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(#04053) BALTIMORE, MD (April 2004) - Today, U.S. Regional Administrator Jane M. Kenny presented National Environmental Performance Track awards to American Ref-Fuel Company of Hempstead, New York and Baxter Caribe of Guayama, Puerto Rico. The awards were presented during the Performance Track 2004 Members Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, an annual gathering of top environmental performers, EPA and state leaders, and other program partners who strive for environmental excellence through innovation and partnerships. Kenny commended the efforts of the region's Performance Track members for their continued commitment to go beyond compliance to environmental stewardship. "Performance Track is about protecting the environment, and the latest progress report proves that we are getting impressive environmental results," Kenny told performance track members at the award ceremony. "Your actions are so important because they are directly related to people's health and the health of our nation's land, air and water resources." American Ref-Fuel was selected from among the program's 344 members to receive one of just four National Environmental Performance Track Outreach Awards for its exemplary efforts to inform the public and business community about what it means to be a Performance Track member. Ref-Fuel, a waste-to-energy facility, has actively participated in raising awareness about Performance Track among its employees. They have publicized their participation in the program by placing ads in local newspapers, by flying the Performance Track flag and by speaking to other companies about the program. Baxter Caribe is one of four winners of the National Environmental Performance Award - Performance Track's new award category for exemplary environmental performance. Baxter Caribe, a healthcare products facility, is a major producer of inhalation anesthetics. Over the last two years, it has reduced its hazardous waste to 380,000 pounds, exceeding the goal of 589,000 pound reduction. Baxter also reduced its wastewater discharges and total energy use through recycling efforts. Kenny was joined by EPA Deputy Administrator Steve Johnson at the award ceremony. During his keynote address, Johnson shared the 2004 Performance Track Progress Report, a detailed view of Performance Track members' achievements since the program's inception in June 2000. Members' achievements include reducing energy use by 3.1 million British thermal units (BTUs), water use by 775 million gallons and solid waste production by 176,126 tons. He also announced a new rule granting Performance Track members flexibility under federal air and waste regulations. Kenny also recognized the region's four newest members of Performance Track. They include: 1. Hewlett Packard in Aquadilla, Puerto Rico 2. Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico 3. Spartech Polycom in Lockport, New York 4. Colonial Acres Golf Course in Glenmont, New York, the first golf course in the nation to join the program. There are now 47 members in New York, New Jersey and Puerto Rico. The National Environmental Performance Track Program is a voluntary public-private partnership dedicated to encouraging beyond compliance environmental protection.