State environmental officials today recognized the Eaton Corporation, Youngsville Plant Operations for its outstanding environmental performance.
Michael S. Regan, secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality, presented company officials with a plaque recognizing the facility as a 2017 Environmental Steward – one of only 27 facilities in North Carolina to earn the coveted designation for a commitment to superior environmental performance.
“Environmental stewards like Eaton’s Youngsville Plant show a strong commitment to environmental improvements that make lasting impacts on North Carolina and the world,” Regan said. “This facility is dedicated to achieving high environmental standards that also improve their bottom line and create a culture of environmental awareness. It serves as a model for environmental stewardship.”
To become an environmental steward, organizations and businesses like Eaton’s Youngsville Plant must demonstrate environmental leadership through a commitment to environmental performance beyond what is required by regulations. Stewards represent the highest of three levels of recognition for environmental performance in the state’s Environmental Stewardship Initiative.
Eaton’s Youngsville Plant, which makes uninterruptable power supplies on an industrial scale, joined the ESI program in 2010 at a partner level, and then implemented improvements to become a Rising Steward in 2012. It was recommended for the Steward-level recognition because the facility has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent with measures like upgrading parking lot lights to LED and replacing fluorescent bulbs to LED lighting. It also reduced its water usage by at least 25 percent since 2010, taking steps like changing landscape watering and making bathroom upgrades. The facility has also achieved and maintained zero-waste-to-landfill, meaning that any materials not used during its production processes are recycled or used for energy. None of its waste is sent to the landfill, making its processes environmentally efficient. It also has a strong history of environmental compliance, and works with the local community to provide environmental information and leadership.
According to Jason Scimeca, Eaton Youngsville plant manager, stewardship was a long-term goal for the Youngsville team.
“Achieving this honor demonstrates that we can make difference in the way we impact the environment in which we work and live,” Scimeca said. “This recognition is proof that we’re making a positive one. Congratulations to our dedicated teams who worked to reach this important milestone.”
Recommendations for stewards are provided to the department's secretary following a rigorous review of environmental performance by DEQ staff and an external advisory board. The ESI promotes and encourages superior environmental performance by North Carolina organizations. This voluntary program was established in 2002 to stimulate the development and implementation of programs that use pollution prevention and innovative approaches to meet and exceed regulatory requirements. For more information, visit the Environmental Stewardship Initiative’s website, www.ncesi.org, or contact Angela Barger or Davy Conners, co-managers of the Environmental Stewardship Initiative, at 877-623-6748 or esi@ncdenr.gov.