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EPA SELECTS 8 NEW MEMBERS IN THE SOUTHEAST FOR PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE TRACK PROGRAM

Release Date: 03/14/2003
Contact Information: Dawn Harris-Young, EPA Media Relations, 404-562-8421

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today the acceptance of eight new members from the southeast into the National Environmental Performance Track program. Nationally, 37 new members were selected. Launched in June 2000, Performance Track now has 308 members nationwide who are recognized for their achievements, as well as for a commitment to top environmental management and to continuously improving their environmental performance. The new facilities have made commitments to continual environmental improvement over the next three years. The new round of Performance Track members have made many impressive commitments to pollution prevention and reduction. Examples of individual member commitments include a 64% reduction in Volatile Organic Compound emissions by 2005 and a 50% reduction in water use that will result in annual water savings of 20 million gallons. Commitments also were made in areas of recycling and reduced energy consumption. These reductions demonstrate the dedication Performance Track members have to cross-media environmental improvement. The new Performance Track members in the Southeast include the following: Alabama Jefferson County General Services Division Birmingham, AL Florida Arizona Chemical Pensacola, FL Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando O rlando, FL Georgia Alpharetta Ready Mix Concrete Plant Alpharetta, GA Griffin Power Systems-Caterpillar Griffin, GA Interface Flooring Systems LaGrange, GA Kentucky Dana Spicer Heavy Axle and Brake Division Glasgow, KY Mississippi Baxter Healthcare Cleveland, MS Performance Tracks member facilities represent both small businesses and large companies from the chemical, electronic, automotive, dry cleaning and pharmaceutical industries, among others. They include additional facilities from companies already participating as well as its first Ready-Mix Concrete Manufacturing facility, Lafarge Alpharetta Ready Mix. Performance Track is a voluntary partnership program that recognizes and encourages top environmental performersCpublic 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. Members in the Performance Track Program receive a range of incentives such as public recognition and low inspection priority to motivate further improvements. Performance Track members benefit from a learning network comprised of top environmental performers and a variety of member services, including the Performance Track Mentoring Program, Performance Track Tele-seminars, EPA roundtable discussions and Performance Track newsletters. In addition members benefit from recognition at EPA events, visibility on the EPA web site, articles highlighting their membership in trade magazines and access to senior EPA officials.