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Thirteen Texas companies are among 89 Energy Star award-winning organizations leading the way through energy efficient approaches and practices to help fight climate change. The award winners were selected from more than 15,000 Energy Star organizations committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses.

The Texas Energy Star award-winning companies are:

• Houston - CEMEX USA, CenterPoint Energy, Hines, TRANSWESTERN
• Dallas - Energy Education, Oncor Electric Delivery
• El Paso – SENERCON, Winston/Flair Custom Homes
• Austin - Austin Energy
• Fort Worth - Fox Energy Specialists
• Plano - J.C. Penny Co.
• Irving - Kimberly-Clark Corp.
• San Antonio- USAA Real Estate Co.

Organizations are recognized in one of three major award categories: Sustained Excellence, Partner of the Year and Excellence. Sustained Excellence winners, which exhibit outstanding leadership continually, are being recognized for their long-term commitment to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. Partner of the Year winners have successfully promoted Energy Star products and practices within their own organization and provided products, services and education to consumers and their communities. Organizations recognized with an Excellence award are strong promoters of energy-efficient homes, products, practices to employees, consumers and the community at large while continuing to raise awareness of energy efficiency.

In 2008, Americans, with the help of Energy Star, saved $19 billion on their energy bills and avoided greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those of 29 million vehicles. To date, 940,000 new homes and more than 6,000 office buildings, schools, hospitals, and public buildings have earned the Energy Star. Since 2000, more than 2.5 billion Energy Star qualified products have been sold.

Energy Star was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Star offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined Glenn Supply Company, Inc. of Tulsa, Oklahoma, $32,940 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act. Today’s announcement settles a Clean Water Act violation for a 3,800 gallon oil spill into the North Canadian River and its adjoining shorelines from Glenn Supply Company’s oil production facility in Okfuskee County. A federal inspection of the facility revealed that the company had failed to prepare a SPCC Plan for the facility which contributed to the oil spill.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has fined Union Pacific Railroad Company of Spring, Texas, $21,000 for violating the federal Clean Water Act. Today’s announcement settles a Clean Water Act violation for a 2,200-gallon oil spill into Cow Bayou, a tributary to Clear Lake, and adjoining shorelines near Webster, Texas. The settlement requires the railroad company to pay the civil fine and certify that all violations have been corrected.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has fined Petroda Oil and Gas of Duncan, Oklahoma, $1,300 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act. A federal inspection of an oil production facility located on Eighth Street, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma, on December 17, 2008, found inspections and tests required by SPCC regulations were not in accordance with written procedures developed for the facility, no designated personnel accountable for spill prevention, and spill prevention briefings were not scheduled and conducted periodically. The inspection also revealed personnel working at the site had no training in several areas, including general facility operations, operations and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, discharge procedure protocols, and applicable pollution control laws, rules and regulations. As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with EPA, the facility has provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 6 is proposing a general permit regulating concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) located on state lands in Oklahoma.

This National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit is required by the Clean Water Act if pollutants will be discharged or are proposed to be discharged from CAFOs into our nation’s waterways. These permits explain the types of allowable discharges and are written to protect public health and the environment.

The proposed CAFO general permit continues many requirements already in place. These include nutrient management plans, manure and wastewater storage design and waste storage closure provisions. It also incorporates new requirements established in 2008.

EPA will continue its extensive coordination with the CAFO industry, Oklahoma regulatory agencies, tribal and local governments, environmental groups and other interested parties to ensure the permit will be both effective and viable.

EPA will accept comments for 30 days on the proposal, then review and respond to comments and make any appropriate changes before the permit is reissued.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Mountain View Neighborhood Association of Albuquerque, New Mexico, $20,000 as part of the EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. The Mountain View Neighborhood Association will implement a project to increase community outreach and education on air quality permitting, illegal dumping, and hazardous waste disposal. The association’s goal for this project includes developing resident-friendly, air quality permit documents educating residents and businesses on the proper disposal of hazardous waste, and reviewing the impact hazardous waste has on the environment.

The EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program awards community-based organizations with funding for projects in low-income communities on environmental and public health issues such as exposure to toxins, farm worker pesticide protection, fish consumption, indoor air quality, drinking water contamination, and pollution from shipping ports. Nationally, EPA awarded $800,000 in local grants for environmental improvements.

Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The funding is to help affected communities develop strategic solutions to their environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability.

Since 1994, EPA has provided more than $32 million to an estimated 1,100 community-based organizations that are committed to protect human health and the environment.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the City of Alton, Texas, $20,000 as part of the EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. The City of Alton and the Center for Community Health Development will continue to improve their history of educating and training Alton colonia residents on key environmental health issues. The city’s goal for this project includes development of a replicable training program for promotoras (indigenous community health workers) to educate residents on solid waste disposal, clean water protection, disease prevention and environmental protection.

The EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program awards community-based organizations with funding for projects in low-income communities on environmental and public health issues such as exposure to toxins, farm worker pesticide protection, fish consumption, indoor air quality, drinking water contamination, and pollution from shipping ports. Nationally, EPA awarded $800,000 in local grants for environmental improvements.

Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The funding is to help affected communities develop strategic solutions to their environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability.

Since 1994, EPA has provided more than $32 million to an estimated 1,100 community-based organizations that are committed to protect human health and the environment.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the Louisiana Bucket Brigade of New Orleans, Louisiana, $20,000 as part of the EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. The Louisiana Bucket Brigade will implement a project to increase community outreach and education on unauthorized discharges to the air and water from Louisiana refineries. The goals for this project include researching incident reports from Louisiana refiners from 2005 through 2008, analyzing data for information on emission and public health, establishing a community outreach forum to review monthly incident data and providing opportunities to share findings with neighboring refineries. This project will increase the community’s understanding of environmental and health impacts associated with unauthorized discharges.

The EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program awards community-based organizations with funding for projects in low-income communities on environmental and public health issues such as exposure to toxins, farm worker pesticide protection, fish consumption, indoor air quality, drinking water contamination, and pollution from shipping ports. Nationally, EPA awarded $800,000 in local grants for environmental improvements.

Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The funding is to help affected communities develop strategic solutions to their environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability.

Since 1994, EPA has provided more than $32 million to an estimated 1,100 community-based organizations that are committed to protect human health and the environment.

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded the American Indian Law Center of Albuquerque, New Mexico, $20,000 as part of the EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program. The American Indian Law Center will implement a project to increase tribal community outreach and education on state permitting processes and environmental justice. The center’s goal for this project includes publishing workshop material highlighting the environmental justice program and the state natural resources and environmental permitting process.

The EPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program awards community-based organizations with funding for projects in low-income communities on environmental and public health issues such as exposure to toxins, farm worker pesticide protection, fish consumption, indoor air quality, drinking water contamination, and pollution from shipping ports. Nationally, EPA awarded $800,000 in local grants for environmental improvements.

Financial assistance under the Environmental Justice Small Grants Program is available to all non-profit organizations designated by the IRS or recognized by the state, territory, commonwealth or tribe in which it is located. The funding is to help affected communities develop strategic solutions to their environmental justice issues and to achieve community health and sustainability.

Since 1994, EPA has provided more than $32 million to an estimated 1,100 community-based organizations that are committed to protect human health and the environment.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the Allergan Pharmaceuticals, Waco, Texas, plant as one of the first four pharmaceutical plants to be awarded the EPA’s Energy Star using the newly developed Pharmaceutical Energy Performance Indicator (EPI). Compared to similar pharmaceutical plants across the country, Allergan’s Waco plant uses nearly 35 percent less energy during its manufacturing process.

Allergan maintains a comprehensive energy management program and has applied good energy conservation practices promoted by Energy Star, including goal setting, monitoring and measuring consumption of energy, project development, energy benchmarking and tracking.

The pharmaceutical sector spends more than $800 million on energy annually. EPA worked in partnership with pharmaceutical companies across the United States to develop the Energy Performance Indicator, which is available to all pharmaceutical companies and enables companies to benchmark their energy performance against others in the industry.

The three other plants are AstraZeneca’s Westborough, Massachusetts, plant; AstraZeneca’s Newark, Delaware, plant; and Schering-Plough’s Cleveland, Tennessee, facility.

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More than one trillion gallons of water are wasted in U.S. homes each year from easy-to-fix leaks. That’s why the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program is sponsoring “Fix a Leak Week,” March 16-20, 2009.

This week is an opportunity to improve the water efficiency of America’s homes by checking for and fixing leaks, which waste an average of 11,000 gallons of water per home each year. That’s more than enough water to fill up a backyard swimming pool.

Here’s how to identify and address leaks around your home:

• Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is being used. If the meter changes at all, you probably have a leak.
• Search for toilet leaks by placing a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If any color shows up in the bowl without flushing first, you have a leak. (Be sure to flush immediately to avoid staining the tank.)
• If you decide it’s time for a new commode or faucet, look for WaterSense labeled products, which use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard models. The vast majority of leaks can be eliminated after retrofitting a household with new WaterSense labeled fixtures and other high-efficiency appliances.

“Water conservation is the most cost-effective and environmentally sound way to reduce our demand for water,” said Miguel Flores, EPA Region 6 Water Quality Protection Division Director. “By making a few small changes to our daily routines, we save a significant amount of water and help conserve water supplies for future generations.”

In the last year, WaterSense labeled products helped consumers save more than 277 million gallons of water and $1.6 million in water and sewer bills. The associated energy reduction from pumping and treating less water was 910,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity. This is equivalent to eliminating 710 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

The average home, retrofitted with water-efficient fixtures and appliances, can save 30,000 gallons per year. If one out of every ten homes in the U.S. upgraded to water-efficient fixtures, it could save more than 300 billion gallons and nearly $2 billion annually.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has penalized Nub’s Well Service of Fox, Oklahoma, $600 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act. A federal inspection of an oil production facility located on Highway 76, south of Fox, Carter County, Oklahoma, on December 16, 2008, found inspections and tests required by SPCC regulations were not in accordance with written procedures developed for the facility. The inspection also found the field drainage system, oil traps, sumps and skimmers were not regularly inspected and oil not promptly removed, and visual inspection of containers, foundation and supports were not conducted periodically for deterioration and maintenance needs. As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with EPA, the facility has provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has penalized Lazy J Oil Company of Hallett, Oklahoma, $2,100 for violating federal Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) regulations outlined under the Clean Water Act. A federal inspection of an oil production facility located on Heyburn Lake Road, Kellyville, Creek County, Oklahoma, on December 29, 2008, revealed the facility had no SPCC plan and personnel working at the site had no training on general facility operations, no training on the operation and maintenance of equipment to prevent discharges, no training on discharge procedure protocols, and no training on applicable pollution control laws, rules and regulations. The inspection also found containers, foundation and supports were not periodically inspected for deterioration and maintenance needs, and above ground valves and pipelines were not examined periodically for general condition. As part of an Expedited Settlement Agreement with EPA, the facility has provided certification that all identified deficiencies have been corrected.

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BP Products North America Inc. has agreed to pay $785,662 to resolve Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) violations at its Texas City, Texas, refinery, the Environmental Protection Agency announced today. The company will pay a $420,662 civil penalty and spend $365,000 on supplemental environmental projects in Texas City.

The law requires that certain facilities that manufacture, process or use certain toxic chemicals report releases annually by July 1, for the preceding calendar year. This settlement addresses the company’s noncompliance with EPCRA reporting requirements by failing to complete and submit toxic chemical release inventory information to EPA and the State of Texas for the period 2002-2005, and failure to maintain reporting records for calendar year 2004. The toxic chemicals subject to reporting requirements included anthracene, cobalt compounds, dioxin and dioxin-like compounds, formaldehyde, lead compounds, methanol, nickel compounds, phenanthrene, and vanadium.

The $365,000 in supplemental environmental projects are intended to improve Texas City’s ability to respond to emergency releases that threaten human health or the environment and include an ambulance, upgrade of the city’s computer system, communications equipment and an Optigon system to assist with traffic control during emergencies. Also included in the projects are funds to improve the city’s Emergency Operations Center and upgrade the city’s mobile command post.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $200,000 to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to manage enforcement and compliance programs for improved data quality. The management project will require the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality to improve the flow of state data to the Airs Facility System (AFS) by pinpointing and addressing current data gaps, creating an automated process to link actions involving High Priority Violators (HPV), and establishing a tool to generate compliance status.

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The U. S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP) partnership developed the Gulf Guardian Awards as a way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals, and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful and productive.

The Gulf Guardian Award exemplifies what the Gulf of Mexico Program is all about; innovative solutions that come about when we pool resources and look for creative ways to positively impact our quality of life and economic well being. There are many companies, organizations, and individuals in the Gulf States that are "Gulf Guardians." The GMP partnership believes they should be recognized for their stewardship of this national resource from which we all derive so much benefit.

The first Gulf Guardian Award winners were recognized in 2000. Every year since, a first, second and third place award are given in seven categories: Business, Civic/Non-Profit Organization, Partnerships, Youth/Education, Individual, Government, and Bi-National.

All 21 winners in seven different categories receive an impressive marble and glass memento, press coverage on their project, and recognition by their peers. All winners receive a professional video about their project and/or effort that is presented on the evening of the Gulf Guardian Awards ceremony.

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists, environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has directed Aspen Power, LLC, to cease construction of its proposed power generation unit located on Kurth Drive, Lufkin, Angelina County, Texas, until a valid permit has been issued by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ).

The federal Clean Air Act has established a preconstruction review and permitting program applicable to major sources of air pollution in certain areas of the United States, which includes Southeast Texas, and allows these facilities to be constructed only after a valid permit is issued. Aspen Power, LLC, has not received the required permit from the TCEQ to proceed with construction.

An EPA inspection on February 18, 2009, found construction activities, including a concrete foundation for the boiler unit, a concrete foundation for the turbine, and construction of the boiler stack, have already been completed at the proposed Aspen Power Plant.

Based on these findings, EPA has ordered Aspen Power, LLC, to stop construction activities at the Aspen Power Plant until Aspen has obtained the required permit from the TCEQ.

Aspen Power, LLC, has also been ordered to submit written certification within ten days that construction of its proposed power plant has ceased.

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The City of Dallas has added another support to its Green Dallas initiative and its effort to build a greener city by joining the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Environmental Performance Track program.

As part of the “green leadership” program, the City plans to lower total water use at its facilities by nearly 50 million gallons and cut its total energy use by more than 95 million kilowatt hours, or 13 percent.

“Dallas continues to raise the bar when it comes to environmental stewardship,” said EPA Acting Regional Administrator Larry Starfield. “Not only has it taken a program that delivers real results for the environment and made it a fundamental part of how it operates, but it is also serving as a model for how other cities can do the same.”

Specifically, Dallas has committed to do the following over the next three years:

• Reduce total water use at City facilities by more than 49 million gallons, or five percent, by expanding the water recycling program, continuing the leak detection and repair program, and upgrading irrigation systems and landscapes. In addition, Dallas will use an internal outreach program to improve conservation awareness.
• Reduce total non-transportation energy use by 95 million kilowatt hours, or 13 percent, through energy performance contracting. The City will use future savings from increased energy efficiency and energy conservation measures to finance structural upgrades that, over time, will save energy and money. Dallas also requires all municipal facilities over 10,000 square feet to be constructed to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. The LEED program serves as the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
• Reduce total transportation energy use by 10 million kilowatt hours, or four percent, through the use of cleaner fuels and cleaner vehicles, while continuing to grow its fleet of hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles.
• Increase land and habitat conservation by 61 acres, or 10 percent, through implementation of the City’s Trail Master Plan. The plan calls for 230 miles of multi-use hike and bike trails at full build out. There are currently eight miles of trails in design, with funding for an additional 10 miles of new trails. The City will also continue to acquire land to put aside for park and trail development.

"As a City, we believe in leading by example. So with 800 facilities, we are constantly looking for ways to make our operations greener,” said Mayor Tom Leppert. “We are thrilled the EPA is honoring the City of Dallas for these efforts by accepting us into the Performance Track program.”

Dallas is the first major city to join the Performance Track program. It is also the pilot city for EPA’s Sustainable Skylines Initiative. Sustainable Skylines involves completing several 3-year projects to reduce air emissions. The initiative is also expected to produce benefits to water and land quality. The success of the Dallas pilot is now serving as a national model for other cities. In addition to Sustainable Skylines, Dallas took the No. 1 spot on EPA’s Top 10 List of municipal green power purchasers in January 2008. Green power purchases help reduce the environmental impacts of electricity use and support the development of new renewable generation capacity nationwide. Dallas is purchasing 40 percent of its power - nearly 334 million kilowatt-hours - from renewable sources, primarily wind.

“I am extremely proud of our environmental sustainability efforts over the past several years and our ‘Green Team,’” said City Manager Mary K. Suhm. “This recognition just goes to show that our efforts are paying off.”

The Performance Track program recognizes and drives environmental excellence by encouraging facilities with strong environmental records to go above and beyond legal requirements. To earn membership, applicants must demonstrate and commit to maintaining a strong record of environmental compliance, set three-year goals for continuous improvements in environmental performance, have internal systems in place to manage environmental impacts, engage in community outreach and consistently report results.

Since the launch of the program, Performance Track membership has grown to 548 members in 49 states and Puerto Rico, and members have set more than 4,000 goals to benefit the environment. As a result, members have reported greenhouse gas reductions of 310,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reductions in nitrogen oxides of 13,000 tons, and reductions of hazardous waste of 52,000 tons.

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The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded $333,900 to the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality to conduct ambient water quality monitoring projects for improving water quality throughout Arkansas. Monitoring projects will involve collecting water samples from various lakes for information on water quality. Scientific data collected from these projects will be used to develop water quality standards and to determine the effects of impaired water bodies on aquatic life.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today released a list of Texas metropolitan areas with the largest number of energy efficient buildings in 2008 that have earned EPA’s Energy Star. The list is headed by Houston, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. These four metropolitan areas had 404 Energy Star qualified buildings in 2008 which resulted in $130.7 million in energy cost savings.

“By making smart energy choices, Texans are saving millions of energy dollars each year,” said Larry Starfield, Acting EPA Regional Administrator. “Whether running a business, a school, or a household, getting the most out of our energy dollars just makes sense.”

In 2008, more than 3,300 commercial buildings and manufacturing plants earned the Energy Star – EPA’s label for high efficiency – representing savings of more than $1 billion in utility bills and more than seven million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. These buildings include schools, hospitals, office buildings, courthouses, grocery stores, retail centers and auto assembly plants.

The total number of Energy Star qualifying buildings and plants in the U.S. is now more than 6,200 with overall annual utility savings of more than $1.7 billion and the prevention of greenhouse gas emissions of more than 13 million metric tons a year – savings equal to the emissions associated with the electricity use of more than 1.8 million homes for a year.

Energy use in commercial buildings and manufacturing plants accounts for nearly half of the total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and nearly half of energy consumption nationwide. For more than a decade, EPA has worked with businesses and organizations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and conserve energy through this voluntary, market-based partnership.

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The Environmental Protection agency has awarded $967,900 to the town of Silver City, New Mexico, to improve wastewater treatment and processing facilities within Grant County. Projects for this grant award includes rehabilitating aeration basins and retrofitting aerate digesters. Additional activities involved in the project include upgrading preliminary treatment facilities, constructing a countywide septic receiving station for processing, and treating the wastewater.