Eight Michigan Metal Finishers Awarded by EPA and DEQ

The Michigan Strategic Goals Program (SGP) will recognize eight Michigan companies for their continued environmental performance. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) presented the awards on March 20th, at the Ford Conference Center in Dearborn, Michigan.

The Michigan-based metal finishing facilities will be recognized by the DEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for their environmental accomplishments under the National Metal Finishing SGP. The SGP is a performance-based, voluntary program that includes commitments by the industry to meet multimedia environmental targets that substantially reduce metal finishing waste from their operations. The SGP rewards companies that reduce metal and organic chemical emissions, water use, sludge generation, and energy beyond environmental compliance levels.

The gold-, silver-, and bronze-level awards are presented when a company achieves the national goal performance levels and maintains good compliance standing as verified by a Technical Review Panel represented by the DEQ, the EPA, and a publicly-owned treatment works.

A bronze-level award shows 33 percent progress toward the national goals, while silver denotes a 66 percent achievement, and gold is for 92 percent achievement and designation as a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen.

Michigan is one of twenty-one states that participate in the national program. The members of the Michigan Metal Finishers Association are proactive environmental stewards, and the SGP works as a conduit between industry, local, state, and federal regulatory agencies; a program that works to bridge the gap between businesses and environmental agencies.

Companies recognized for their achievements are: KC Jones Plating, Hazel Park (bronze); Wolverine Plating Corporation, Roseville (bronze); Bronson Plating, Bronson (silver); ElectroChemical Finishing Company, Wyoming (silver); ElectroChemical Finishing Company #2, Wyoming (silver); Howard Finishing, Madison Heights (silver); Lansing Plating, Lansing (silver); and Tawas Plating & Powder Coatings, Tawas City (silver).