DEQ program earns Detroit Free Press green award

Agency: Environmental Quality

For More Information                                           Dave Herb, 517-241-8176, herbd@michigan.gov 

                                                                         Brad Wurfel, 517-373-7917, wurfelb@michigan.gov 

The Department of Environmental Quality's Retired Engineer Technical Assistance Program has received a Michigan Green Leader award from the Detroit Free Press. The award will be presented today at the third annual Green Leader's ceremony in Detroit, Michigan.

The Michigan Green Leader Awards recognize businesses, people, and organizations that are working to make Michigan a greener place to live and work. The RETAP is being honored for its effectiveness in providing voluntary pollution prevention technical assistance to small businesses.

The RETAP has assisted more than 1,200 businesses in Michigan by providing on-site assessments with recommendations to eliminate waste generation, conserve resources, and increase process and energy efficiencies. The RETAP has identified more than $40,000 in potential cost savings per assessment. On average, companies implement, or make plans to implement over 70 percent of RETAP recommendations within two years of receiving their assessment report.

The RETAP conducts approximately 100 assessments per year. The assessments are free, confidential, non-regulatory, and objective. Any business with 500 or fewer full-time employees in Michigan and institutions of any size may request a RETAP assessment.  

For additional information about the RETAP, including how to receive a P2 and energy conservation assessment, visit the DEQ Web site at www.michigan.gov/retap, or contact David Herb at herbd@michigan.gov or 517-241-8176.

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