(Washington, D.C.) More organizations are recognizing benefits to their bottom line and the environment by committing to go beyond regulatory requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency welcomed 32 additional facilities to the National Environmental Performance Track program. The newest members include a resort, an airport, and an air force base.

"The more organizations that are engaged in the search for continuous improvement, the more we can achieve in terms of environmental results and effective partnerships," said Performance Track Director Dan Fiorino. "We congratulate our newest round of member facilities as they chart new paths toward environmental excellence."

The National Environmental Performance Track program recognizes facilities that work with their communities, set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance beyond regulatory compliance, and have internal systems in place to manage their environmental programs. For example, 25 of the new 32 members have committed to reduce their waste generation over the next three years; 21 facilities plan to reduce energy use; 19 facilities pledge to reduce their water use; and 10 facilities have committed to reduce their air emissions. Additionally, six of the 32 new members committed to focus on EPA-defined regional and national environmental priorities in the areas of water use, priority chemicals, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Performance Track members come from a wide range of industries, such as paper, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, resorts and government agencies, among others. This membership round also includes Performance Track's first manufacturer of cosmetics - Piscataway Manufacturing, L'Oreal USA, in Piscataway, N.J.; the first ski resort - Aspen Skiing Company in Aspen, Colo.; and the first airport - Denver International Airport in Denver, Colo. Fourteen companies already represented in Performance Track added new facilities to the program.

Performance Track facilities must meet all environmental regulatory requirements and make additional commitments to the environment. Since the program's inception in 2000, Performance Track membership has grown to 417 members in 46 states and Puerto Rico, and those members have made 1,500 commitments to benefit the environment. To date, Performance Track members have collectively reduced their water use by 3.5 billion gallons, reduced their greenhouse gas emissions by 88,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, and conserved more than 14,000 acres of land while helping to protect their local and national environment.

Information on the National Environmental Performance Track program: epa.gov/performancetrack

Information on new Performance Track members: epa.gov/performancetrack/round12PTFacilities.htm

Environmental Protection Agency

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