TCEQ announces 2012 Texas Environmental Excellence Award winners

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announced the winners of the 20th annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards today. These awards recognize nine projects that provide superior resource conservation, waste reduction, and pollution prevention.

Among this year’s honorees are: a company that reduced water consumption by more than 500 million gallons in a year; an elementary school with a student-led team that launched a slew of conservation activities and raised environmental awareness; a regional partnership that works on projects to improve and protect water quality in the Arroyo Colorado; a major city that addresses issues with fats, oils and grease through preventive maintenance to wastewater lines and educating the public on proper disposal; a high school junior who started a recycling program for her school’s cafeteria; a pair of companies that worked together to develop and test an innovative coating for steel that reduces air emissions; a small city’s plan that makes environmental practices part of its routine operations; a groundwater conservation district’s project that raised 200 bushels of corn with only 12 inches of irrigation water per acre; and a botanical garden that inspires both students and teachers to preserve nature while giving hands-on training.

The Texas Environmental Excellence Awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses that protect our state’s human and natural resources while ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.

“I commend all of these winners for taking on and solving difficult problems, particularly in the increasingly important area of water conservation,” said TCEQ Chairman Bryan W. Shaw, Ph.D.

“Environmental protection is everyone’s business. It is encouraging to see so many people of all ages who are actively involved,” said TCEQ Commissioner Carlos Rubinstein.

“It is inspiring to see both public and private entities going above and beyond regarding the environment and it makes our job easier,” said TCEQ Commissioner Toby Baker.

The TCEQ commissioners will formally present the awards to the winners at the annual awards banquet on May 2, 2012, at 6:30 p.m. as part of the TCEQ Environmental Trade Fair and Conference at the Austin Convention Center, May 1–2.