March 27, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today announced the Air National Guard’s Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center has been designated as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen in a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship. The Alpena CRTC is the first C3 in Alpena County and the first military facility to earn the designation in Michigan. There are 101 active Clean Corporate Citizen facilities statewide.

“I extend my congratulations to the entire team at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center for their environmental ethic and the work they have done to qualify for this designation,” said Director Chester. “Their commitment to protecting our shared natural resources and operating as a good neighbor in Alpena County is commendable.”

Alpena CRTC has approximately 200 full and part-time employees supporting the year-round training and simulation activities that serve a variety of military, civil, and law-enforcement agencies. Over 170 organizations train at Alpena CRTC every year, accounting for nearly 20,000 personnel.

“We are committed to conducting our mission in an environmentally responsible manner; protecting human health, natural resources, and the environment,” said Colonel Ewin Sansom, CRTC Commander. “It’s part of being good stewards of our natural resources, and being good neighbors in our community. This is one more area in which we strive for continual improvement.”

Alpena CRTC sets environmental goals for purchasing environmentally-preferred products made with recycled and reclaimed materials, replacing a hazardous solvent parts cleaner with a safer system, recycling antifreeze, utilizing re-refined oil, and holding an annual Recycle Day to collect and recycle a wide range of materials from employees’ offices and homes.

Alpena CRTC is also an active partner in the voluntary pollution prevention partnership, “Department of Defense/Michigan Environmental Alliance.”

To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environmental management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. The program is open to establishments regulated under any of Michigan’s environmental statutes. Designations are valid for one year and must be renewed annually.

For more information on Clean Corporate Citizen designation please visit our Web page at www.michigan.gov/deqc3.

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 March 27, 2006 by Pat Watson