The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that Verso Paper Corp., Quinnesec Mill of Quinnesec has been designated as a Clean Corporate Citizen (C3). The C3 Program is a voluntary environmental program that recognizes environmental stewardship at Michigan's facilities.

Verso Paper Corp manufactures bleached hardwood draft pulp and high quality coated printing paper used in magazines and catalogs.

Verso Paper Corp., Quinnesec Mill's comprehensive environmental management system focuses on integrating environmental targets into its daily operations. Some of the company's current goals include reclaiming more than 90% of the mill's generated residual solids, and installing a fine bubble ceramic dome aeration system to improve biological treatment and reduce overall energy use. The facility also calculates its carbon footprint to mitigate climate change.

Upon receiving the C3 designation, Mike Sussman, Verso Paper Corp., Quinnesec Mill's Manager said, "Our environmental sustainability focus is to reduce the environmental impact and improve the health and safety aspects of our current and future operations, products, and services. Achieving the Clean Corporate Citizen status recognizes this effort and is a proud moment for the Quinnesec Mill. It was a true team effort of our employees to develop and implement the necessary systems to successfully obtain Clean Corporate Citizen designation and ISO 14001 certification."

The C3 designation is made to candidates that adopt facility-specific Environmental Management Systems, have active and on-going pollution prevention initiatives at their facility, and have a consistent record of compliance with state and federal environmental requirements. The C3 Program is open to companies regulated under any of Michigan's environmental statutes, and designations are reviewed and renewed on a regular basis.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised April 23, 2009 by Pat Watson