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Elmendorf Air Force Base “Takes Off” as Alaska’s first EPA Performance Track facility

Release Date: 06/05/2008
Contact Information: Marcia Colvin, EPA/Seattle, 206-553-6907, [email protected]; Mark MacIntyre, EPA/Seattle, 206-553-7302, [email protected]; Capt. Kelley K. Jeter/Elmendorf AFB, 907-552-8153, [email protected]

(Seattle, Washington – June 5, 2008) – Elmendorf Air Force Base was recently named one of the newest members of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Environmental Performance Track program, making it the first facility from Alaska to be accepted into the program.

Performance Track rewards facilities that: voluntarily exceed regulatory requirements; implement systems for improving environmental management; work with their communities; and set three-year goals for improvements in environmental performance.

Only facilities with a record of sustained compliance with environmental requirements are eligible to participate in this program.

"Performance Track members view environmental challenges as opportunities for growth and improvement," said Performance Track Director Dan Fiorino. "The innovative approaches they use to reduce their facilities’ environmental footprints are earning them deserved recognition by the government, media, business and financial communities."

Elmendorf joins more than 530 U.S. facilities in their commitment to consistently exceed environmental requirements. Since its inception in 2000, members have collectively reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 309,780 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, increased their use of recycled materials for production processes by 559,991 tons, and reduced water consumption by 5.2 billion gallons.

Over the next three years, Elmendorf Air Force Base has committed to eliminating cadmium from their parts washer rinsing solution, allowing the re-use of the clarified rinse water; reducing sediments in storm water discharges by 95%; reclaiming a 70-acre solid waste landfill for use as a moose browse habitat; and reducing their use of jet fuel by almost 1.4 million gallons.

As part of Performance Track, Elmendorf Air Force Base is eligible for numerous program benefits including EPA recognition; national and local networking opportunities; and regulatory and administrative incentives which reduce paperwork, increase flexibility, and help facilities focus on environmental improvement.

For more information about Performance Track, visit: www.epa.gov/performancetrack or call 1-888-339-PTRK