Governor Lt. Governor First Lady

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Four To Receive Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards On Wednesday

DES MOINES — Tomorrow, October 3, four Iowa businesses will be honored with Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards in a ceremony for their work in improving Iowa’s environment and natural resources.

“During my inaugural address, I talked about my vision for the state, which included improving our environment while strengthening our economy,” said Gov. Chet Culver. “Some believe it is difficult for these two goals to coexist. Here in Iowa, we are proving that improving our environment and strengthening our economy can go hand in hand, and this year's Environmental Excellence Award winners are fine examples.”

This year’s award winners are:

  • National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames won the overall excellence award for their comprehensive approach to sustainable resource management and best environmental practices. In 2006, through its "Green Team," an aggressive recycling program alone has resulted in 41.3 tons recycled paper, resulting in more than 700 trees saved.
  • Wells Dairy of LeMars was honored with the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy award for their work to improve efficiency. Since beginning their projects, they have saved more than $500,000 in annual energy costs, reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by more than 38 million pounds per year.
  • Pella Corporation received the Special Recognition in Waste Management for their innovative recycled sawdust project, which has resulted in $80,000 of cost savings and prevented more than 175 tons per month of sawdust going to the landfill.
  • Fred Newton, owner of Fish Creek Farms in Newton received two awards - the Water Quality Award and the Habitat Restoration Award. On his 500 acre farm in Mitchell County, Newton has aggressively improved wildlife habitat and water quality along Slough Creek. Thanks to his efforts, soil run-off has been significantly reduced and water quality has dramatically increased in both Slough Creek and the Little Cedar River that it feeds into.