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“These agencies are showing real
leadership when it comes to reducing waste, preventing pollution,
and showing energy and resource efficiency,” the governor said.
This is the second round of awards
since the Governor’s Green Government Coordinating Council was
established by executive order in 2000.
The second annual report by the council
detailing continued actions to implement Gov. Ryan’s Green Illinois
program initiatives was also released today.
The various categories of awards were
presented by
Illinois Environmental Protection Agency Director Renee Cipriano
to the
Department of Corrections,
Department of Central Management Services,
Department of Military Affairs,
Department of Natural Resources,
Department of the Lottery,
Department of Public Aid,
Department of Transportation,
Department of Nuclear Safety,
Pollution Control Board and
Illinois State Police.
“These agencies are making a difference
and leading the way in making our state a safer and healthier place
for generations to come,” said Cipriano.
Awards for overall outstanding
performance were presented to the Department of Transportation,
Illinois State Police and the Department of Military Affairs.
Transportation was recognized for
reclaiming obsolete and damaged highway signs for reuse; adopting
environmental management plans for proper handling, storage and use
of regulated substances; testing a reusable oil filter for heavy
equipment and trucks; updating the HVAC system with automated
controls at the District 9 facility; and converting to
high-efficiency boilers at the District 3 facility.
The state police were recognized for
using rechargeable battery packs in crime scene investigations,
increasing distance learning and video conferencing, installing
water-saving shower and toilet components at the State Police
Academy, expanding the use of environmentally preferable cleaning
products, and increased lighting and energy efficiency measures.
Military Affairs was recognized for
distilling paint-gun cleaning solvent for reuse, using membrane
filtration systems to extend the life of cleaning solvents, and
installing energy-efficient fixtures, programmable thermostats and
high-efficiency windows as part of a renovation project.
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The Pollution Control Board was
recognized in a special category for resource efficiency for the use
of video conferencing for 50 percent of its meetings and encouraging
carpooling and use of public transit.
The Department of Nuclear Safety was
recognized for environmentally preferable purchasing for its use of
“just-in-time” purchasing and chemical tracking and for replacing
mercury thermometers with alcohol or electronic thermometers.
Two agencies were presented with the
Melissa Paige Awards for Waste Reduction. The awards are named in
honor of the former coordinator of the state’s I-CYCLE program, who
died earlier this year.
Department of Military Affairs was
recognized for recycling paper, scrap metal, universal waste,
vehicle waste fluids, paint cans and carpeting.
Department of Corrections was
recognized for recycling numerous materials at its facilities as
well as processing recyclable materials at the Menard Correctional
Center that were generated from communities in Randolph County.
Corrections was also recognized for its
protection of an endangered species in setting aside 20 acres at the
Stateville Correctional Center to protect the Hine’s emerald
dragonfly.
Finally, five agencies honored among
the first Green Government awards, in February, were recognized for
continuing excellence:
- The Illinois Department of Lottery for
various resource and energy savings measures.
- Department of Central Management Services
for numerous energy conservation efforts and an integrated pest
management program.
- Department of Natural Resources for
recycling, energy conservation and incorporating environmentally
preferable products and green building concepts into its new
headquarters building.
- Department of Public Aid for waste
reduction, use of ethanol vehicles and rechargeable batteries.
- Department of Corrections, receiving its
third Green Government Award for a variety of energy-efficient and
resource conservation steps.
[Illinois
Government News Network
press release] |
