February 9, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester today offered his congratulations to 14 Michigan businesses for maintaining Clean Corporate Citizen status for 5 years or more.

“These companies are to be commended for their consistent commitment to environmental stewardship” said Director Chester. “Environmentally responsible manufacturers play a key role not only in building a strong business climate for today’s communities, but also building healthy livable communities. These 14 companies consistently prove that economic growth and environmental stewardship can successfully co-exist in a corporate structure.”

Michigan’s Clean Corporate Citizen certification is a voluntary program recognizing environmental stewardship. To qualify for a Clean Corporate Citizen designation, candidates must adopt a facility-specific environment management system, active pollution prevention initiatives, and have a consistent record of compliance with applicable environmental requirements. Clean Corporate Citizens are eligible for certain regulatory benefits under the state’s environmental programs, including expedited permit approval. 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.

The companies achieving this prestigious designation are:

The Consumer’s Energy J.R. Whiting Plant is certified by the Wildlife Habitat Council and has several initiatives on site including creation of Pheasant habitat, propagation of the American Lotus, preservation of the Lady of the Lake wetland area, and a wildflower meadow.

The Ford Motor Company’s ATNPC Facility is one of Michigan’s long standing environmental leaders in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. Prior to delivery on site, every piece of machinery is reviewed to identify new pollution prevention opportunities. Recently, use of portable coolant reconditioning units has resulted in the following reductions: 900 gallons/year in the amount of coolant used; and 10,200 gallons/year of related wastewater.

Denso Manufacturing Michigan, Inc. was also recognized as a Clean Corporate Citizen. In one year alone this company was able to recycle over one million pounds of plastics, and reduce their lead solder usage by 40 percent.

The DuPont, Mt. Clemens Plant was one of the facilities recognized with a longevity award for 5 years or more of participation in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. They were the 11th facility to join the Clean Corporate Citizen Program, but more importantly were the first paint and chemical facility, setting the precedent for many more Michigan businesses. They also were one of the facilities nationwide to win the National Coat and Paintings Association Environmental Excellence Award.

Knoll Inc., Grand Rapids was able to make their facility virtually chemical free by eliminating the e-coating process in favor of a 100 percent powder coating, and switching their glue spray booths from solvent to water-based glue. They were the first office furnishing manufacturing facility to receive designation under C3.

The Consumer’s Energy Parnall Office Complex has continually reviewed and reengineered processes resulting in the elimination of halogenated solvents, lead and oil based paints, and the reduction in the use of office materials. They also created the Consumers Renaissance Development Corporation, a non-profit that stimulates the redevelopment of Brownfield sites.

The Ford Motor Company’s Romeo Engine Plant was one of the first Powertrain facilities to be registered to the ISO 14001 certification, an international standard of environmental excellence and uniformity in business practices. They also received recognition from the Washington, DC Wildlife Habitat Council for their habitat management program on-site.

DaimlerChrysler Sterling Heights Assembly Plant joined the C3 Program in 1997, and has the special distinction of being the first facility designated. The SHAP facility was the first automobile assembly plant to be profiled in the Community Environmental Awareness Project and received the prestigious Spirit Award from the City of Sterling Heights in recognition of their model corporate citizenship and enhancement of the city’s exceptional quality of life.

The Visteon Corporation - Seldon Road Plant received their C3 designation in 1999, and their ISO 14001 certification, an international standard for environmental excellence in 1998. In addition to their environmental business endeavors, Visteon Corporation-Sheldon Road Plant has taken a step into the community. This facility has constructed raptor perches, wildflower and butterfly gardens, a tree nursery, walking paths, and received an International Habitat Conservation Award.

Smurfit Stone Container Corporation - Ontonagon Mill was one of the facilities recognized with a longevity award for 5 years or more of participation in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. The Mill was the fourth company in Michigan to receive C3 designation in 1998, and the first pulp and paper mill to receive this recognition. As well as being ISO 14001 certified, an international standard of environmental excellence and uniformity in business practices, the Mill plays an active role in conserving the natural areas in their community. Smurfit Stone Corporation - Ontonagon Mill’s biosolid sludge is being utilized as a soil amendment, or fertilizer, to assist in the re-vegetation of the former White Pine Copper Mine’s 5,500-acre tailings basins.

TAC Manufacturing, Inc. was one of the facilities recognized with a longevity award for 5 years or more of participation in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. They joined the program in 1999, and have continued their proactive approach to waste minimization. One of the ways in which TAC Manufacturing, Inc. has demonstrated environmental responsibility is by eliminating all hazardous waste on site through a rag recycling program.

T.E.S. Filer City Station was one of the facilities recognized with a longevity award for 5 years or more of participation in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. They have been a member of the Clean Corporate Citizen Program since 1999 and received ISO 14001 certification in 2000, an international standard for environmental excellence and uniformity in business practices. As well as being a leader in Michigan’s pollution prevention programs, they are a charter member of the National Environmental Performance Track Program administered by the U.S. EPA, and participate in the Waste Wise Program also administered by the U.S. EPA.

Ford Motor Company - Van Dyke Plant was one of the facilities recognized with a longevity award for 5 years or more of participation in the Clean Corporate Citizen Program. Ford Motor Company - Van Dyke Plant has been a C3 since October 21, 1997. They were one of the original five Ford manufacturing facilities in North America to be certified to the ISO 14001 Environmental Standard in December of 1996. This facility has a long history of being asked to be a pilot facility for environmental programs or initiatives, both internal to Ford and from their suppliers and contractors. One past accomplishment was to substitute water based cleaning stations for solvent-based stations which significantly reduced the need to send waste materials off-site for disposal.

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

Revised February 9, 2005 by Alice Stimpson