Volvo Penta Marine Products Facility in Lexington recognized by State of Tennessee – Department of Environment and Conservation

(Lexington, TN) March 24, 2009 – State of Tennessee Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke presented a Certificate of Recognition and a Green Performer flag to Volvo Penta’s Environmental and Safety Coordinator, Dana Scates and its Director of Operations, Mac Rose, recognizing the Lexington, TN facility’s achievements in preventing pollution in a ceremony on March 24, 2009. The Volvo Penta Marine Products plant, located at 200 Robert Wallace Drive, Lexington, TN, is the 13th Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership (TP3) member to achieve the distinguished level of Performer status in the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership leadership program.

In addition to Randy Phelps, Global Sr. Vice President of Manufacturing for Volvo Penta, members of the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and other community and industrial groups were in attendance.

“This is a great achievement for both Volvo Penta and its employees at the Lexington facility,” said Fyke. “It demonstrates the facility’s commitment to seek out opportunities to eliminate and reduce waste, save natural resources and prevent pollution. We appreciate the leadership Volvo Penta and all our TP3 performers provide to help protect our natural resources.”

To achieve Performer status, TP3 program participants are required to develop and complete a five-project plan to help prevent pollution of air, land and water, while reducing waste and conserving natural resources. Performers also incorporate community outreach and mentoring into their programs.

“Environmental care is one of the core values of the Volvo Group and an integral part of Volvo Penta's commitment to customers and end users, employees and the community,” said Rose. “We are honored to received this recognition and applaud our associates’ efforts to conserve and preserve our community’s resources.”

Volvo Penta documented five environmental success stories to achieve Performer status, demonstrating measurable results in pollution prevention. Notable results include lowering hazardous air pollutants by 9.5 tons, reducing hazardous waste by 10,000 pounds, preventing 250 tons of carbon dioxide emissions and reducing water usage by nearly a quarter million gallons per year. Additionally, the facility reclaimed more than 660,000 kilograms of material including used oil, wood, cardboard and scrap metal for further use rather than simply discarding in a landfill.

For more information about Volvo Penta Marine Products’ pollution prevention projects, please visit: http://www.tn.gov/environment/ea/tp3/tp3_volvo.shtml.

The Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership is a statewide network of households, schools, government agencies, organizations, businesses and industries working together to prevent pollution. The Tennessee Pollution Prevention Roundtable, with assistance from the Department of Environment and Conservation, developed many of the guidelines for TP3. For more information on the Tennessee Pollution Prevention Partnership, please visit www.tn.gov/environment/ea/tp3.

Filmmaker shows how green Milwaukee can be

OnMilwaukee - March 31

As Earth Day approaches, most of us are thinking of ways to contribute, in big ways and in small, to making the world a cleaner, safer and healthier place to live. There are, of course, others, who are doing this year-round.

MORE

Oberstar legislation seeks second Great Lakes icebreaker

Marine Log - March 31

Congressman James L. Oberstar (D. Minn.), Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, has introduced H.R. 1747, the "Great Lakes Icebreaker Replacement Act."

MORE

Plan to Save Lake Superior Angers Environmentalists

netnewsledger.com - April 1

Lake Superior offers an economic lifeline of great importance to both Thunder Bay Ontario, and Duluth Minnesota. Over the past ten years, the Lake Superior water levels have been declining. The decline in water levels have led to problems for shipping on the Great Lakes. The federal government is reportedly enacting a plan that experts feel will solve water levels on Lake Superior, but have environmentalists furious.

MORE

St. Lawrence Seaway's anniversary marred by invasive species

Plain Dealer - April 01

The St. Lawrence Seaway - celebrating its 50th anniversary Tuesday as one of the world's most vital economic waterways - is also a wide-open viral pathway into the Great Lakes for harmful invasive aquatic species.

MORE

Complete cleanup of West Valley site is the only real solution

Buffalo News - 04/01

One thousand years from now, there may not be a state of New York, a United States of America or anyone who could even read all the paperwork dealing with the Western New York Nuclear Services Center in West Valley.

MORE

Lighthouse celebrating 150th anniversary

Lucknow Sentinel - April 1

The Point Clark Lighthouse will be 150 years old this year and that is cause for celebration as organizers look to put on festivities for the Aug. 15 weekend.

Parks and Recreation Supervisor Mike Fair has requested a special grant from the Canada Heritage Fund so that they can go all out on the weekend. He’ll be looking to bring bands for the weekend.

MORE