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EPA Region 7 Welcomes Three Iowa Facilities to the National Environmental Performance Track Program

Release Date: 03/07/2007
Contact Information: Shawntell Martin, (913) 551-7676, martin.shawntell@epa.gov

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Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., March 7, 2007) – 3M Knoxville, Gerdau Ameristeel of Wilton, and Raymond-Muscatine are among EPA’s elite environmental performers because the facilities consistently exceed environmental requirements and make environmental protection an essential part of their daily work, EPA Region 7 Administrator John B. Askew announced today.

“I am proud that 3M, Gerdau Ameristeel, and Raymond-Muscatine are among 24 facilities in Region 7 that make environmental performance an essential part of their business. Our members are realizing that what’s good for the environment is also good for business,” Askew said. EPA Region 7 includes Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri.

Their superior environmental performance is demonstrated by their energy and water conservation efforts. 3M Knoxville has improved its energy efficiency by adding a thermal oxidizer, which resulted in a savings of 25,500 million Btus of natural gas within a two-year period. The facility also implemented new process changes to prevent the entry of 494,000 pounds of non-hazardous wastes into local landfills. 3M Knoxville produces window film, acrylic foam tapes, and other adhesive coating.

Gerdau Ameristeel took on a six-year project to reuse 50 million gallons per year of processing water in its furnace operations. Gerdau Ameristeel makes merchant and special bar quality steel products.

Among Raymond-Muscatine’s most notable environmental achievements are significant water consumption savings and reduced hazardous waste generation for each electric fork truck.

Performance Track, launched in June 2000, now has 470 members in 46 states and Puerto Rico. The program recognizes and encourages public and private top environmental performers that voluntarily go beyond compliance with environmental regulations and commit to continual environmental improvement. Facilities must set three-year goals for continuous environmental improvements beyond requirements, establish an environmental management system, measure results, and work within their communities.

To date, the members have collectively reduced their waste use by 3.5 billion gallons, reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 88,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and conserved more than 14,000 acres of land. Performance Track members receive a range of incentives, such as public recognition and reduced inspection priority, to motivate further improvements.