April 14, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced today that eight facilities in Michigan are being recognized with the Neighborhood Environmental Partners Gold Award for their outstanding commitment to environmental community outreach. The NEP program offers business and citizen groups the opportunity to work together to make their neighborhoods cleaner, and more attractive places to live and work.

“Building strong active relationships between businesses and their neighbors is an important step forward towards improving the local environment across Michigan,” said Director Chester. “These facilities have made an ongoing commitment to local environmental projects and have demonstrated their enthusiasm to contributing and improving their neighborhoods.”

Director Chester will visit with staff at each facility to present them their award and discuss the progress Michigan is making towards having a healthy environment, and a healthy economy. The list of companies and the award schedule is as followed:

• Consumers Energy - J.R. Whiting Plant - Erie; Tuesday, April 18;

• General Motors Powertrain - Warren Transmission Plant - Warren,
   Friday, April 21;

• Cascade Engineering – Grand Rapids; Monday, April 24;

• Steelcase Inc. – Grand Rapids; Thursday, May 11;

• Weyerhaeuser Company - Grayling OSB - Grayling; Wednesday,
   May 17;

• Fort Custer Training Center; Tuesday, May 23;

• Dow Corning - Midland Site - Midland; Thursday, May 25;

• Smurfit Stone Container Corporation - Ontonagon Mill; Wednesday,
   June 21.

Community partners at each of the facilities will also be recognized for their outstanding environmental contributions.

Further information on the NEP program is available on the DEQ Web site at www.michigan.gov/deqnep, or through 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 April 14, 2006 by Pat Watson