EPA Solicits Nominations for 2008 Environmental Quality Awards

(New York, N.Y.) Each year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes and honors those individuals and organizations who contributed significantly to improving the environment during the past year in New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands through its Environmental Quality Awards.

The awards recognize achievement in six categories:

• Individual Citizen
• Non-Profit Organization, Environmental or Community Group
• Environmental Education
• Business and Industry
• Federal, State, Local or Tribal Government or Agency
• Press and Media

Nominations for the awards are solicited from both within and outside EPA.

“This coming April, we will again celebrate Earth Day, a day for us all to reflect on the importance of the environment,” said EPA Region 2 Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “What better way for us to mark that occasion than by honoring those organizations and individuals whose work has furthered the cause of the environment and whose dedication stands as an inspiration to us all.”

Nominations must be submitted by Friday, February 22, 2008. Award recipients will be honored at a ceremony in April at EPA’s Manhattan offices.

For more information on award criteria, prior winners and nomination instructions, visit EPA’s Environmental Quality Award Web page at http://www.epa.gov/region2/eqa. Self-nominations are welcome.