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EPA Acting Regional Administrator Callahan Honors Environmental Performance Track Member in New York

Release Date: 12/07/2004
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(#04178) UPTON, New York -- Brookhaven National Laboratory of Upton, New York has been accepted into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) National Environmental Performance Track Program. Brookhaven is one of more than 300 top environmental performers that are part of EPA's leading voluntary program for facilities that consistently exceed regulatory requirements, work closely with their communities and commit to continued environmental performance. "Performance Track is about protecting the environment and honoring members who are committed to environmentally sound practices that will ensure people's health and the health of our nation's land, air and water," said EPA Acting Regional Administrator, Kathleen C. Callahan. "Brookhaven is committed to environmental protection, an important part of its mission." Brookhaven National Laboratory is a research laboratory owned by the Department of Energy and run by contractors. Brookhaven conducts applied research in the physical, biomedical and environmental sciences, and in energy technologies. The facility has received numerous science awards including six prestigious Nobel Prizes for its scientific research. The Laboratory will continue its mission to protect the environment by conserving and restoring 30 acres of native habitat and wildlife, reducing emissions of radio nuclides by 30% and reducing the use of ozone depleting substances used in HVAC and fire suppression equipment by 50%. Brookhaven is also committed to eliminating all non-essential uses of elemental mercury. Brookhaven National Laboratory joins 13 other members of Performance Track currently in New York State. These members include: American Ref Fuel-Hempstead, Colonial Acres Golf Course, [PDF, 154KB, 15 pp] | EPA Award CPS Corporation, [PDF, 216KB, 19 pp] Dresser-Rand, [PDF, 95KB, 18 pp] Henkel Loctite Electronics, [PDF, 82KB, 13 pp] IBM TJ Watson Research Center, [PDF, 198KB, 17 pp] Endicott Interconnect Technologies, two Lockheed Martin facilities (Syracuse & Oswego), Nucor Steel Auburn, [PDF, 91KB, 18 pp] Ortho Clinical Diagnostics, Spartech Polycom [PDF, 179KB, 20 pp] US Department Of Energy, West ValleyDemonstration Project. George Goode, Director of Brookhaven's Environmental and Waste Management Services Division, said, "Brookhaven National Lab's motivation for joining Performance Track was the result of a natural evolution of our pollution prevention programs and strong environmental management system. Performance Track is a win-win for the environment, and employees. Membership also enhances the positive relationships we've built with our stakeholders over the years." Members of the Performance Track Program obtain benefits such as regulatory and administrative flexibility, positive public recognition, national and local networking opportunities and reduced federal inspection priority. There are currently 44 members in EPA Region 2.