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Governor Lynch Recognizes Winners of 2007 Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention
Concord, NH – Governor John Lynch today announced the winners of the 2007 Governor's Award for Pollution Prevention. Two New Hampshire companies, New Hampshire Ball Bearings of Laconia and Public Service of New Hampshire in Portsmouth, were presented with this year’s Governor’s Award that recognizes outstanding pollution prevention practices in businesses and organizations at a ceremony held in the Executive Council Chambers "As Governor, I am committed to working to protect our environment and quality of life here in New Hampshire - by working to move us toward cleaner, alternative fuels, by increasing energy efficiency, and reducing pollution. That is why I am so pleased to recognize the efforts of these two companies - they are demonstrating that cutting pollution makes good environmental sense, and good business sense," Governor Lynch said. New Hampshire Ball Bearings, Inc. Astro Division (NHBB) manufactures spherical and rod end bearings for the aerospace industry. NHBB has dedicated itself to establishing and maintaining a world class environmental management system (EMS) that includes internal and external commitments to reduce their environmental footprint. As part of the regular planning process for their EMS, they establish annual goals, targets and implementation plans for pollution prevention. Astro reduced 8,768 pounds of hazardous waste and 191.4 tons of non-hazardous waste between 2003 and 2006. Additionally, their emissions reductions were 365.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide, energy reduction was 4,251,650 kWh and they had net water savings of 189,817 gallons. NHBB has also introduced an aggressive recycling program. They saved over $513,000 per year. “I am honored to receive the Governor’s Award for Pollution Prevention on behalf of the Astro Division and New Hampshire Ball Bearings,” said Herb Parkhurst, the Astro Division’s Facilities Manager. “It symbolizes our ongoing commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, an important civic and strategic objective shared by all of us at NHBB and our parent company, Minebea Co., Ltd. Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) is the largest electric utility, serving more than 490,000 customers statewide. PSNH converted one of its facilities into a wood burning plant, which reduced the use of coal by more than 130,000 tons a year. The Northern Wood Power Project is one of the largest renewable energy repowering projects in the country. By switching from coal to wood, the facility reduced air emissions by 2,045.5 tons and No.6 fuel oil by 600,000 gallons a year. In addition, the facility reduced coal ash which would normally require landfill disposal by 50,000 tons per year. PSNH did not site any additional monetary savings for themselves but noted that this project would increase the regional economy by approximately $20 million. “The success of this project is a result of good state policy and strong collaborative support by a variety of organizations and individuals,” noted Gary Long PSNH president and chief operating officer. “It is an example of what can be accomplished when we work together toward a common goal – in this case, clean renewable energy and a boost to the local and the forest economies.” Four New Hampshire businesses and organizations received an Honorable Mention Award for their pollution prevention efforts: NH Adjutant General’s Department; Monadnock Paper Mills of Bennington; Ripano Stoneworks of Nashua; and Southeastern Container of Hudson. Contact the New Hampshire Pollution Prevention Program at 603-271-6460 or NHPPP@des.state.nh.us to see how your company can benefit from implementing pollution prevention strategies or visit the NHPPP’s website at (http://www.des.nh.gov/nhppp/) for more information on pollution prevention activities and programs.
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