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EPA Recognizes Companies for Environmental Progress

Members of a voluntary public-private partnership are being recognized today for exemplary environmental performance. EPA is presenting awards to nine members of the National Environmental Performance Track program, and welcoming 64 new members at a ceremony in Baltimore.

Members of a voluntary public-private partnership are being recognized today for exemplary environmental performance. EPA is presenting awards to nine members of the National Environmental Performance Track program, and welcoming 64 new members at a ceremony in Baltimore.

"Performance Track members are at the forefront of innovation and environmental stewardship, fundamentally strengthening the relationship between business and government," said EPA Deputy Administrator Stephen L. Johnson, who will commend Performance Track's 344 members for their continued commitment to beyond compliance environmental stewardship.

Johnson also is unveiling the 2004 Performance Track Progress Report, a detailed view of Performance Track members' achievements, including reducing energy use by 3.1 million BTUs, water use by 775 million gallons, and solid waste by 176,126 tons.

EPA is presenting environmental performance awards to: Baxter Healthcare, Inc., Guayama, Puerto Rico; Pfizer, Inc., Lititz, Penn.; Bridgestone-Firestone, Graniteville, S.C.; and the City of Scottsdale, Ariz. 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.

This year's winners for extraordinary efforts in outreach are: American Ref-Fuel Company, Hempstead, Westbury, N.Y.; DuPont - Spruance Plant, Richmond, Va.; Pfizer, Inc. - Lincoln, Neb.; and Texas Instruments - Sensors and Controls, Attleboro, Mass. 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. New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. of Peterborough, N.H., will receive the Director's Award for Mentoring for assisting small facilities with environmental management system training.

Johnson also is announcing 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.

The ceremony is being held in conjunction with the 2004 Performance Track Conference, an annual gathering of top environmental performers, EPA and state leaders, and other program partners striving for environmental excellence through innovation and partnerships.

More information about Performance Track is available at: www.epa.gov/performancetrack.

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