Governor Recognizes AEP's Muskingum River Plant for Outstanding Pollution Prevention Efforts

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(Columbus, 10/27/99) Governor Bob Taft today presented an award for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention to American Electric Power's Muskingum River Plant, Beverly.

"AEP's Muskingum River Plant has demonstrated how pollution prevention provides a common sense approach to protecting Ohio's environment by saving the company money and protecting Ohio's natural resources for future generations," said Governor Taft. "I commend them for their achievements."

American Electric Power's Muskingum River Plant is recognized for:

• implementing a process improvement that reduced its sulfur dioxide emissions by 2,562 tons, ash by 4,370 tons, carbon dioxide by 88,848 tons, hydrochloric acid aerosol by 69,211 tons, and hydrofluoric acid aerosol by 5,047 tons;

• reducing river water consumption by 1.25 million gallons per day;

• reducing the use of chemicals and hazardous substances (from 1996 to 1997, emissions from the use of chemicals and hazardous substances were reduced by 92.5 tons of sodium hydroxide and 114.8 tons of sulfuric acid); and

• expanding the company's recycling efforts.

Criteria for selection of the Governor's Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Pollution Prevention include: the overall effort to reduce waste at the source, or recycle or recover materials; the program's innovation, cost effectiveness, and environmental benefits; ability of the program to serve as a model for others; and effectiveness in promoting prevention as the preferred long-term approach. In addition, the efforts should be voluntary and in advance of regulatory requirements, and the nominee should have a good environmental compliance record.

The Governor's Awards have been coordinated by Ohio EPA for 13 years to demonstrate how pollution prevention can be good for both the environment and business.