October 21, 2005

The Department of Environmental Quality announced today that it is accepting applications for the 2005 “Neighborhood Environmental Partners” (NEP) Awards. Facilities designated as Clean Corporate Citizens or participants in Michigan’s Pollution Prevention Partnership are eligible to apply. The goal of the NEP Program is to competitively award businesses and communities who together commit the time and resources necessary to achieve environmental excellence in their community.

“The NEP Program recognizes the importance of building active relationships between businesses and their neighbors to improve the local environment across Michigan” said DEQ Director, Steven E. Chester. “This program allows companies to engage their neighbors in creative ways to improve the environment within a community.”

The DEQ’s Clean Corporate Citizens and Pollution Prevention Partners can compete for a NEP Program Award by developing an environmental mission statement and completing environmental projects and/or initiatives in their community. Applications will be accepted October 1, 2005, through January 31, 2006, and the winners will be announced in March, 2006.

To assist interested participants, the DEQ has developed a Web site that has informational materials on the program requirements, along with ideas and illustrations of community-based environmental activities. For more information on the NEP Program, go to the DEQ Web site at www.michigan.gov/deqnep, or call the Environmental Assistance Center, at 1-800-662-9278.

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 October 21, 2005, by Shirley Smith for Pat Watson