Mar 30, 2015
Baton Rouge - Today, DEQ hosted the Environmental Leadership Awards at the DEQ headquarters in the Galvez building in downtown Baton Rouge. DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch was joined by Sen. Mike Walsworth, chair, Senate Environmental Quality Committee, and Rep. Gordon Dove, chair, House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, to recognize environmental achievements. Members of ELP were commended for their voluntary pollution prevention efforts, community environmental outreach initiatives, and environmental management systems that went above and beyond regulatory compliance to improve the environment.
ELP Awards were presented to large, medium and small businesses, municipalities, non-governmental organizations and schools/universities. Seven new ELP members, who joined in 2014-2015 were recognized. This year, DEQ presented 23 awards in recognition of the following:
Pollutants reduced by the projects:
- 11,390,816 gallons (gals) of pollutants including sulfuric acid, caustic soda, wastewater
- 9,679,963 pounds (lbs) of carbon monoxide
- 7,715 cu feet natural gas
Pollutants reused:
- 11,914,180 lbs non-contaminated soils and clarified slurry oil sediment
Pollutants recycled:
- 1,428,743 lbs benzene, chlorinated organics, e-waste, filter media, plastics
- 24,354 cu yds compost, woodwaste
- 61,553 gal used oil
- 5,644,818 gal oily water
“The Environmental Leadership Program recognizes voluntary pollution reductions by government, schools, businesses and community groups in Louisiana,” DEQ Secretary Peggy Hatch said. “Award winners have gone above and beyond regulation to combat pollution, spearhead community outreach efforts, or present educational programs that make a positive difference in the quality of Louisiana’s environment.”
The ELP began in 1995 as a cooperative effort between DEQ and participating companies in the state. Today, any company, federal entity, municipality, non-governmental organization, school or university committed to improving the quality of the state’s environment is eligible to join the program. For more information about the ELP, please contact Linda Hardy at 225-219-3954 or visit the DEQ website at www.deq.louisiana.gov/elp.