DEP’s Air Division Recognizes Industry’s Environmental Stewardship by the Florida Power and Light Company, Fort Myers Plant

--Partnership for Ecosystem Protection (PEP)--

TALLAHASSEE -  The Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Air Resource Management announced today that it recognized three industry facilities for their exemplary performance in environmental stewardship as partners in the Partnership for Ecosystem Protection (PEP) Program. Representatives of the winning facilities were presented distinctive awards during a ceremony held at the Double Tree Hotel in Cocoa Beach on October 3, during the Division’s statewide Annual Air Meeting. The awards recognized pollution prevention realized during calendar year 2000.

Second Place was awarded to Florida Power and Light Company’s Fort Myers Plant for its repowering efforts. Due to their pollution prevention activities significant reductions were realized in particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and carbon dioxide. Bill Reichel, the plant general manager, accepted the award on his company’s behalf.

The City of Tallahassee was awarded First Place and Third Place was awarded to Vought Aircraft Industries, formerly Northrop Grumman.

PEP is an incentives-based recognition program developed by the Division to enhance the department's ability to encourage, promote and reward facilities in Florida through appropriate recognition of their commitment toward pollution prevention and environmental stewardship. Companies that become PEP partners must be in compliance with all air, water, and waste regulations, have a good environmental compliance history and implement pollution prevention activities above and beyond regulatory requirements. Currently, the program includes fourteen facility partnerships.