September 16, 2003

The Department of Environmental Quality has received an award from the National Pollution Prevention Roundtable (NPPR) for its Retired Engineer Technical Assistance Program (RETAP). The award will be presented at a ceremony held in Washington, DC on September 17, 2003, to announce the Most Valuable Pollution Prevention (MVP2) program.

The RETAP is being honored for its effectiveness in encouraging the adoption of pollution prevention technologies by small- and medium-size businesses. The RETAP conducts on average 150 pollution prevention assessments a year. The assessments are voluntary and confidential, and focus on resource conservation, preventative maintenance, and process and energy efficiency. Highly competent and trained retired professional conduct these assessments. The RETAP encourages facilities to implement all recommendations. It also provides grants to assist with implementation of technology and practices with hopes of facilitating their diffusion within industry. In addition, the RETAP sponsors a student internship program. Through its university partners, the DEQ has placed twenty-four students in industrial facilities over the last three years to develop and implement pollution prevention projects. These projects have resulted in significant material and financial saving for the facilities.

The NPPR issues the MVP2 awards in conjunction with P2 Week, celebrated this year from September 15-19, 2003. This is the fourth MVP2 award DEQ has received. Last year, the DEQ received awards for a Mercury Awareness project and for the Small Business Pollution Prevention Loan program. In 2000, the department along with the pulp and paper industry received a joint award for the Pulp and Paper P2 Program. The P2 Week originated in California in 1992 and in 1995 gained widespread popularity when it became a national effort. The DEQ has actively participated in this effort since 1996. Currently, an exhibit in the state Capitol displays the Governor’s P2 Week Proclamation and P2 Week resolutions from the Michigan Senate and House.

For more information about the NPPR awards, contact the Environmental Assistance Center at 1-800-622-9278, or go to the NPPR website at www.p2.org.

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

Revised September 17, 2003 by Pat Watson