November 9, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today welcomed the United States Army Garrison-Michigan (USAG-M) in Warren to the Clean Corporate Citizen program, a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship. USAG-M is the first Department of Defense facility in southeast Michigan to earn the designation and 129th in the statewide program.

"I am pleased to recognize the entire team at U.S. Army Garrison for pollution prevention achievements, and their dedication to sound environmental management," said Director Chester. "USAG-M is demonstrating that the business of developing tomorrow's military vehicles can, and should, be managed with an eye on environmental protection."

USAG-M houses administration buildings, maintenance shops, and research and development laboratories for laser, robotics, composites, metallurgy, welding, petroleum, water, and propulsion. TACOM (US Army Tank-Automotive Command) is the major tenant and much of the building space is occupied by the Tank Automotive Research and Development Engineering Center (TARDEC). TARDEC's work focuses on wheeled and tracked vehicles, as well as fuels, lubrication, and water testing.

"The United States Army Garrison-Michigan is extremely honored to be approved for the Clean Corporate Citizen Program," said Mr. Robert Graves, Deputy to the Garrison Commander. "The Garrison strives to be a good neighbor to the residents and businesses surrounding the installation. This recognition is the culmination of many years of hard work by the Garrison environmental staff and the entire work force at the Detroit Arsenal."

USAG-M operates under federal Executive Order "Greening the Government," the federal standard for environmental management systems. The facility has also performed the rigorous "Compliance Through Pollution Prevention" process, including a complete compliance site inventory, setting environmental priorities, and identifying pollution prevention solutions.

The facility is also an active partner in the voluntary pollution prevention partnership "Department of Defense/Michigan Environmental Alliance."

USAG-M sets goals for continual environmental improvement including purchasing environmentally-preferred products made with recycled and reclaimed materials, creating and maintaining comprehensive waste reduction and recycling programs, reducing facility energy use by 30 percent, reducing vehicle petroleum consumption by 20 percent, and ensuring that 75 percent of all new vehicles purchased are alternative fuel vehicles.

TACOM at the USAG-M site has also established HAZMART (Hazardous Materials Distribution Center), a pharmacy-like centralized point for hazardous material procurement, tracking, and life cycle management. HAZMART has reduced annual hazardous waste disposal from 83,500 pounds to 14,000 pounds within 2 years of operation, and sent 33,000 gallons of extra fuels for re-use to Michigan National Guard and Reserve units.

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 November 9, 2006 by Linda Crawford for Pat Watson