SGA Environmental Excellence Award

 

2008 SGA Environmental Excellence Award Recipients: These awards will be presented during the Opening Session of the SGA Environmental, Safety & Training Conference June 25-27, 2008, at the Hilton Charlotte City Center in Charlotte, NC.

2008 Environmental Excellence Partnership Award

Atlanta Gas Light Company

Atlanta Gas Light Company became a Georgia chartered company in 1856 and has its roots as a gas utility in the Manufactured Gas Plant sector. As a result of this history, Atlanta Gas light dealt with an MGP Program portfolio of 13 former MGP sites. The Augusta, Georgia former MGP site (1852) operated for more than 100 years near the heart of the city. It lies along the banks of the historic Third-level Canal in the City’s Laney-Walker neighborhood. AGLC committed with the City and Augusta Canal Authority to the remediation of the site. The final segment consisting of the Canal and adjacent off-site areas is representative of a value-based process of returning each MGP site to beneficial use in order to further community development and property recovery. Near the conclusion of the physical work, Augusta held a multi-session planning charette to create a master plan for the neighborhood which incorporates the revitalized Canal as a centerpiece. Present plans include a new Judicial Center, expansion of the Canal Authority’s history exhibits and displays, new housing and a community center. The Third-level Canal project benefited the community by removing impacts that caused risks to human health and the environment. The remediation has returned the Third-level Canal and more than 40 acres of adjacent property to beneficial use, while improving the appearance and hydraulic competency of the Canal. Along with the City’s judicial Center, a new Courthouse and other projects, more than $200 million is projected in economic development and investment in the area.

 

2008 Environmental Excellence Technology Award

Nicor Gas

Nicor Gas is a company that is more than 50 years old with over 40 reporting centers throughout Northern Illinois, most of which were constructed during the 1960s. Most of the lighting fixtures installed when out buildings were constructed have been well used and maintained into this decade. These fixtures were designed to hold and illuminate fluorescent bulbs known as T-12s. In 2007, Nicor Gas’ Facility Services Department, in concert with the Environmental Health and Safety and Business Development departments and Clean Air Counts, ventured down the path of changing light bulbs. The first site was completed during August 2007. By changing light bulbs, Nicor Gas has reduced emissions that are equivalent to 158 passenger cars not driven for one year, 3.7 railcars of coal not burned, 1,693 barrels of oil not used, 18,663 seedlings grown for 10 years and 607 acres of pine forest storing carbon for one year. In addition, they have reduced operating expenses by roughly $100,000 each year.

 

2008 Environmental Excellence Stewardship Award

El Paso Corporation

In 2007, the Nobel Prize was co-awarded to the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) for its scientific work on climate change issues. Climate change is now widely viewed as the most pressing environmental issue of our time. In May 2006, El Paso developed its commitment document related to air quality and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. El Paso repeatedly demonstrates leadership in the natural gas sector with respect to balancing environmental and energy goals. El Paso has been actively participating in national policy discussions and has instituted internal guiding principles on the issue of greenhouse gas regulatory framework. In June 2007, El Paso became the first natural gas transmission company to file a GHG emissions inventory covering all applicable GHGs, including methane, N2O and CO2. On July 16, 2007, El Paso became the first natural gas company to certify its emissions and earn the status of Climate Action Leader. El Paso Corporation owns North America's largest interstate natural gas pipeline system and transports approximately one-quarter of the natural gas consumed in the United States each day. The company’s exploration and production business ranks among the top 10 domestic independent producers.

 

 

The SGA Environmental Excellence Award was established in 2005 to recognize SGA member companies who have made a significant impact in protecting our environment. Through utilization of innovative environmental practices, SGA member companies reduce waste, save money, and contribute to the industry’s environmental protection efforts, as well as benefit the health and welfare of the nation. The program must be voluntary and not the result of mandates by regulations or enforcement decrees.

For more information, contact Marsha Short at 972-620-4024.