TCEQ Names Environmental Excellence Winners
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has announced the winners of the 18th annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards. The agency singled out nine projects that provide superior resource conservation, waste reduction, and pollution prevention.
This year’s honorees include a company that builds houses almost entirely from reused and recycled materials; a municipal sewerage system that turns organic waste into energy; a wetlands laboratory that preserves and protects sensitive habitats; and a cement kiln that seeks the community’s input on ways to improve environmental performance.
The awards honor individuals, organizations, and businesses that protect the state’s human and natural resources while ensuring clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.
“The variety in this year’s winners show that everyone has a part to play in protecting and improving our environment,” said TCEQ Commissioner Buddy Garcia.
Commissioners made a special presentation of the TCEQ’s Gregg A. Cooke Memorial Award for Exceptional Environmental Excellence honoring the late Carlos Marin, U.S. Commissioner, International Boundary Water Commission. Marin served as IBWC commissioner from 2004 to 2008 and died in an airplane accident while surveying flooded areas of Texas and Mexico. Marin served more than 27 years at the IBWC working on projects that improved the lives of border residents by ensuring clean, safe water and dedicated his life to furthering cooperation between the U.S. and Mexico.
The winners are:
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Agriculture ─ Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, West Texas A&M University, USDA-Agricultural Research Service, and Kansas State University)
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Large Business/Nontechnical ─ Texas Lehigh Cement Company
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Civic/Nonprofit Organization ─ Office of Community Outreach at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
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Large Business/Technical ─ Oncor Electric, Inc.
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Water Conservation ─ Tarrant Regional Water District
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Small Business ─ Phoenix Commotion
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Youth ─ Sarah Jo Lambert
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Education ─ City of Waco
Baylor University
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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Government ─ Waco Metropolitan Area Regional Sewerage System