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EPA Performance Track recognizes outstanding environmental partners

Release Date: 4/12/2005
Contact Information:

CONTACT: Karen Thompson, (312) 353-8547

For Immediate Release
No. 05-OPA044

CHICAGO (Apr. 12, 2005) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has recognized three companies for their exemplary environmental performance: Pfizer Inc. of Terre Haute, Ind.; 3M Corp. of St. Paul, Minn.; and Baxter Healthcare Corp. of Deerfield, Ill. These companies are members of EPA's National Environmental Performance Track program and received formal recognition at a ceremony in Chicago on April 12.

Pfizer and 3M were commended for communicating the benefits of membership in Performance Track to other companies and facilities. 3M also received the first corporate-level Performance Track Director's Award for outreach within and outside the company.

Baxter was honored as one of the first three Corporate Leaders. The Corporate Leader designation recognizes companies that have multiple facilities in Performance Track and that demonstrate an exceptional corporatewide commitment to environmental stewardship and continuous improvement. EPA recognized Baxter's implementation of a corporate environmental "financial Performance Add 1 statement" and the use of a comprehensive balanced scorecard to focus environment, health and safety activities to achieve a sound level of environmental management.

"We are proud to reward such model performers for their steadfast dedication to environmental awareness and improvement," said Region 5 Acting Deputy Administrator Norm Niedergang, who presented the awards.

The Performance Track program is a public-private partnership recognizing top environmental performance among participating U.S. facilities of all types, sizes and complexity. The program is based on the belief that government should salute existing programs with new tools and opportunities for reducing cost and stimulating technological innovation. Performance Track members are required to submit an annual performance report and communicate progress on environmental commitments.