Deliver Your News to the World

Eastman Chemical Company Texas Operations Receives Responsible Care® Award


WEBWIRE

The Texas Operations of Eastman Chemical Company (NYSE: EMN) was recognized recently with the 2006 “Excellence in Caring for Texas” award for its efforts in communicating with its employees and the public as well as its pollution prevention and emergency response programs.

“This award is a nice validation of what we’re trying to do every day,” said James Ray, vice president and general manager, Texas Operations. “It’s critical that the people who live and work around our site are aware of our operations here and understand that we have programs in place to help protect them in the event of an emergency.”

The award was presented to Eastman’s Texas Operations by the Texas Chemical Council earlier this month.

“Many people in the area know that we have a very active Community Advisory Board,” Ray said. "Since 1990, it’s been one of the vital links we have with the community where the 20 members can give us feedback on how we’re doing and serve as our eyes and ears.

“But we also participate in the Local Emergency Planning Committees and encourage our employees to take active leadership roles in local organizations such as United Way and Jr. Achievement,” Ray said. “And we follow that up with financial support to a variety of area causes.”

Texas Operations contributed more than $230,000 to numerous area causes in 2006, Ray said. That was in addition to contributions the company’s Corporate Foundation made to local programs. Those included $100,000 for LeTourneau University’s S.E. Belcher Jr. Chapel and Performance Center, $50,000 to the Hiway 80 Rescue Mission and $50,000 to local assisted living community, Buckner Westminster Place. Texas Operations employees also pledged $290,000 to the United Way in 2006.

Other accomplishments which helped Texas Operations win this “Excellence in Caring for Texas” award include:

* A 50 percent reduction in Hazardous Waste generation over the past 10 years;
* Voluntary participation in on-going Academy of Natural Sciences River Quality studies for the Sabine River since 1982;
* Sponsorship of the Texas State Envirothon environmental education competition since 2001;
* Replacement of four of five diesel train locomotives with electric driven locomotives in 2006 with a plan to replace the remaining locomotive soon;
* Conversion of three cooling tower natural gas engine fan drives to electric motors, achieving a reduction of more than 1,500 tons per years in emissions.

“I’m proud of the work and care our employees are taking when it comes to community awareness, pollution prevention and emergency response,” Ray said. “I’m also very glad to see that their efforts are being recognized by others.”



WebWireID41262





This news content was configured by WebWire editorial staff. Linking is permitted.

News Release Distribution and Press Release Distribution Services Provided by WebWire.