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BP AMERICA, INC., WINS FIRST PLACE GULF GUARDIAN AWARD
July 3, 2002
STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss.
The Gulf of Mexico Program recently
announced that BP America, Inc., will receive a first place Gulf Guardian
Award for 2002 in the Business Category. The award will be presented
to representatives of BP at the Clean Gulf Conference scheduled for Nov.
5-7, in Galveston, Texas.
Three years ago the Gulf of Mexico Program developed the Gulf Guardian awards as a method of recognizing and honoring the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive. The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. Award entries were received from Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. A first, second, and third place award are given each year in six categories individual, business, youth and education, nonprofit organizations, government, and partnership efforts.
The Gulf Guardian Awards take on special significance in 2002 as we celebrate 30 years since the passage of the Clean Water Act, said EPA Administrator Christie Whitman. The efforts of those being recognized as Gulf Guardians are key to our success as we address water issues. These award winners accepted the challenge and have joined us as we restore and protect our nation's waters for future generations."
"Environmental protection and education are critical to the success of BP's exploration and production operations," said BP Group Vice President Jack Golden. "The Gulf Guardian Award is very meaningful to BP, we are honored to receive it."
BP's award was based on a suite of environmental stewardship programs, as opposed to a single program. BP is actively involved in environmental education and protection programs that serve the Gulf of Mexico and it's surrounding coastal communities. BP's goals of causing no accidents, no harm to people, and no damage to the environment are tenets that permeate every phase of exploration and production operations. In 2001, BP produced one-half million barrels of oil equivalent/day, operated 305 producing platforms and 17 drilling rigs in the Gulf. At the same time, they reduced their environmental emissions -- both Green House Gases and oil spills escaping containment -- and invested dollars and human energy into various community, environmental and conservation projects. BP is determined to be an environmental leader, demonstrating social responsibility and sound stewardship in everything they do.
Gulf of Mexico Program Office Director Jim Giattina said, The Gulf Guardian Award exemplifies what the Gulf of Mexico Program is all about ‑‑ innovative solutions that come about when we pool resources and look for creative ways to positively impact our quality of life and economic well-being. We are all one Gulf community and have only one Gulf of Mexico. Projects like these are helping to protect our local coastal waters, which significantly contributes to the Gulf's beauty and value, said Giattina.
