DEP’s Air Division Recognizes Industry’s Environmental Stewardship by Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc.

--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.

Third Place was awarded to Vought Aircraft Industries, formerly Northrop Grumman. Vought implemented an employee training program that emphasized the importance of reusing materials, and using less solvents and paints thus avoiding waste where possible. Vought realized significant reductions of both hazardous waste and emissions of volatile organic compounds. Whit Kirkland, safety and environmental engineer, and Albert Pandl from the environmental department, accepted the award on Vought’s behalf.

The City of Tallahassee was awarded First Place and Florida Power and Light Company, Fort Myers Plant was awarded Second Place.

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.