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U.S. Army Fort Hood Sets New Goals with EPA to Reduce Pollution

Release Date: 01/27/2010
Contact Information: Dave Bary at 214-665-2200 or [email protected]

(Dallas, Texas – January 27, 2010) The U.S. Army Fort Hood has partnered again with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by setting new goals to recycle lead batteries, reduce or eliminate lead wheel weights, and recycle lead projectiles throughout the base’s various operations.

As part of the National Partnership for Environmental Priorities (NPEP), the base will increase its recycle of lead batteries from 171,000 to 175,000 pounds, reduce and eliminate some 100 pounds of lead wheel weights from motor fleet vehicles and use non-leaded wheel weights instead, and recover about 500 pounds of lead projectiles from selected firing ranges by December 2010. The U.S. Army Fort Hood has been an EPA NPEP partner since 2006.

“One of our highest priorities is to make significant progress in assuring the safety of chemicals in our environment,” said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz. “By joining this program, the U.S. Army Fort Hood is helping eliminate chemicals and inspiring others to do the same.”

The U.S. Army Fort Hood trains, maintains and sustains a corps-level headquarters, two army division level headquarters, a corps sustainment command, six brigade combat teams, five other brigade-size formations and numerous other major organizations. Fort Hood has some 55,000 soldiers, airmen and civilians that serve the military and region. Recently, Fort Hood and the cities of Killeen, Copperas Cove, Harker Heights and Gatesville formed a unique partnership (Cen-Tex Sustainable Communities Partnership) to seek long-term environmental, economic and social benefits for the region. A conference is scheduled on January 27-29, 2010, for representatives from businesses, state, local and federal governments, academic institutions, and residents to exchange valuable ideas to promote sustainable development, growth and living in Central Texas.

NPEP is a voluntary program with 264 members from private and public organizations nationwide. The goal of the program is the reduction, reuse or recycling of 31 priority chemicals. Priority chemicals are long-lasting substances than can build up in the food chain and cause harm to humans and the environment.

Additional information on the NPEP program is available at https://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/minimize/npep/index.htm

To learn more about activities in EPA Region 6 visit https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available at https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/jan2010.html