FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2009
CONTACT: LISA WHEELER
PHONE 512-239-5003 PAGER 512-606-3681
TCEQ Announces Winners of the 2009 Texas Environmental Excellence Awards
Awards are highest environmental achievement in state of Texas
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) today formally announced the winners of the 17th annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. The awards were given to 10 innovative projects and people across the state that demonstrate positive effects on air, water, and land resources.
Among this year's award recipients are a consumer products manufacturer that recycles 99 percent of its manufacturing waste; a residential green building program that uses a quality-review process to certify homes and take the guesswork out of a homebuyer's decision; a soil testing campaign in the Rio Grande Valley that has reduced the use of nitrogen by more than 2 million pounds and cut phosphorus use by 3 million pounds; and a lifelong cotton farmer who has breathed new life into a community by working to establish the largest wind farm in the world in tiny Roscoe, Texas.
Recommended by a Blue Ribbon Committee of environmental experts from public and private industry, the TEEA awards honor individuals, businesses, and organizations that have created successful programs that conserve natural resources, reduce waste, and prevent pollution. Created by the Texas Legislature in 1993, the awards program reflects the goals of the TCEQ itself: to protect Texas human and natural resources and ensure clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.
"These award winners are shining examples of how everyone—from one individual, to a corporation—can improve and protect our state's natural resources," said TCEQ Chairman Buddy Garcia.
"The innovation shown by these winners is truly inspiring, and should encourage all Texans to follow their lead," said TCEQ Commissioner Larry R. Soward.
"The projects we honor today show a commitment to our state's environment and it is a pleasure to recognize these achievements," said TCEQ Commissioner Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D.
The commissioners of the TCEQ will present the awards at the annual awards banquet on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, at the Austin Convention Center, as part of the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference.
2009 Texas Environmental Excellence Award Winners:
AUSTIN
Texas Department of Transportation
(Category: Government)
BOERNE
Boerne Independent School District
(Category: Water Conservation)
DALLAS
Energy Transfer Technologies
(Category: Innovative Technology)
COLLEGE STATION/RIO GRANDE VALLEY
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
(Category: Agriculture)
LUBBOCK
The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University
(Category: Education)
PARIS
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
(Category: Large/Non-technical)
ROSCOE
Mr. Cliff Etheredge
(Category: Individual)
SAN ANTONIO
Build San Antonio Green
(Category: Civic/Nonprofit)
WACO
Mars Snackfood LLC US
(Category: Large Business/Technical)
WHITEFACE
Science Rock U—Wetlands Youth Brigade
(Category: Youth)
For more information on the TCEQ awards program, as well as to submit an application for next year's awards, visit the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards Web site.
All TCEQ news releases are available at www.tceq.state.tx.us/.
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