For Release: Tuesday, December 6, 2005
DEC Presents Second Annual Environmental Excellence Awards
Organizations Are Recognized For Environmentally Sound Practices
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) Commissioner Denise M. Sheehan today announced the six winners of the second annual New York State Environmental Excellence Awards for outstanding efforts in environmental innovation, sustainability, and creative partnerships.
"Today's winners are helping us achieve Governor George Pataki's goals of environmental and economic progress in New York State," Commissioner Sheehan said. "The award recipients are to be congratulated for their leadership and for a job well done. Their efforts individually, and combined, will serve as examples to others across the State."
DEC established this new awards program in 2004 to recognize emerging technologies, superior management practices, and creative partnerships that achieve exceptional environmental, social, and economic benefits for New York State.
The field was very competitive and applications were reviewed for technical merit by DEC staff and an advisory committee of stakeholders from academia, business, government, community organizations, and environmental and conservation groups.
Commissioner Sheehan presented the awards during the Environmental Excellence Awards ceremony and dialogue held today in Albany. The event celebrated the winners' achievements and provided a forum for each of the award recipients to present and discuss their programs and accomplishments.
As part of DEC's ongoing pollution prevention initiatives, DEC is also developing an environmental leadership program for New York businesses and organizations. New York Environmental Leaders will focus on recognizing and providing incentives to organizations that demonstrate long-term commitments to superior environmental management and performance. More information on the Environmental Leaders program is available at http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/939.html on DEC's website.
The winners of the 2005 Environmental Excellence Awards are:
City of Glen Cove:
The City of Glen Cove, Nassau County, is being honored for unprecedented nitrogen discharge reductions at the City's wastewater treatment plant. The City has provided leadership well beyond their compliance requirements for the protection of the Long Island Sound and the nitrogen reductions will contribute to improved water quality and habitat.
Homogeneous Metals, Inc:
Homogeneous Metals, Inc. (HMI) of Clayville, Oneida County, is being honored for achieving zero discharge of nickel and chromium to the municipal sewer and for significant reductions in hazardous waste generation and air emissions. Zero discharge is the ultimate goal for pollution prevention.
Materials for the Arts:
Materials for the Arts (MFTA), located in Long Island City, Queens County, is being honored for developing and operating New York City's oldest reuse program, promoting reuse and spreading the important ecological message of waste reduction to tens of thousands of people annually.
Modern Landfill, Inc.:
Modern Landfill, Inc. in Modal City, Niagara County, is being honored for the development of a partnership in which landfill gas is converted into electricity to supply the facility and the grid power as well as provide heat to grow hydroponically grown tomatoes. This project demonstrates innovative use of an alternative energy source for both meeting power needs and sustainable food production.
Philips Semiconductor Fishkill:
Phillips Semiconductors Fishkill in Hopewell Junction, Dutchess County, is being honored for a permanent reduction in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions to the air. Philips replaced two highly volatile solvents used in the photolithography process with a single solvent with significantly lower volatility. This replacement resulted in a 44 percent reduction of overall VOC emissions.
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P.:
Selkirk Cogen Partners, L.P. in Selkirk, Albany County, is being honored for the installation of a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system to treat incoming cooling water, which minimizes chemical use and the potential for spills associated with the large amounts of acid and caustic previously used in the regeneration of ion exchange demineralizers. This project accomplishes both pollution prevention and water conservation goals.
For further details on the Environmental Excellence Awards program, go to http://www.dec.ny.gov/public/945.html on DEC's website. Additional information about today's award winners will also be posted soon.
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