NATIONAL STONE, SAND & GRAVEL - ENVIRONMENTAL EAGLE
The Environmental Eagle Award was created in 1992 to provide national recognition for aggregate-producing companies actively contributing to the maintenance of the environment in and around their operations, as evidenced by a corporate commitment to the full use of environmental controls and systems. This award is based, in part, on the extent to which an operation meets and exceeds technical environmental and regulatory requirements. (The Eagle Award is not based on aesthetic or beautification criteria.)
1996 Powhatan Gold
1996 Fairfax Gold
1996 Augusta Silver
1997 Leesburg Gold
1997 Burlington Silver
1998 Rockville Gold
1998 Greene Gold
1998 Bealeton Gold
1999 Boscobel Gold
2000 Leesburg Platinum Winner (*New award for previous Gold winners)
2000 Boscobel 1st Runner Up Platinum
PLANTS REWARDED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP
Two of Luck Stone’s quarries joined an elite group of businesses in Fall 2009. The Spotsylvania and Powhatan quarries were recognized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality for achieving E3 status.
Tom Faha, the Northern Virginia Regional Director for the Virginia DEQ, congratulated Luck Stone and the Spotsylvania team.
’’What you all have done is more than we could ask for, and we want to say thank you,’’ Faha said. ’’Only 20 percent of companies participating in VEEP have achieved this level.’’
Jamey Epps, Powhatan’s plant manager, described what it’s like for associates to see the fruits of their labor.
“The team is always working on many projects and trying to accommodate many regulatory guidelines and conditions,” Jamey said. “When you get the recognition from an agency outside the stone industry the team can’t help but feel that they are positively impacting their environment, community and Luck Stone.”
VEEP, the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, recognizes facilities in the commonwealth that make a commitment to continuous environmental improvement. Luck Stone is a member of VEEP, a voluntary program run by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. There are different levels of achievement, starting at E2, an Environmental Enterprise, and once a facility implements an Environmental Management System and documents its goals for environmental improvement, the facility can be promoted to the level of E3, Exemplary Environmental Enterprise.
Spotsylvania and Powhatan quarries are the only quarries to be recognized at the E3 level.
“As the first member of the mining industry to be recognized as an Exemplary Environmental Enterprise in the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program, we are extremely proud of the Spotsylvania and Powhatan Quarries,” said Mark Williams, Environmental Manager for Luck Stone.
The Powhatan associates appreciated the recognition and started looking ahead.
“The team was excited, yet inquisitive and curious about what they needed to do to not only sustain, but improve on this accomplishment,” Jamey said.
A few achievements at the Spotsylvania and Powhatan that helped them reach the E3 level:
- Hiring a Safety, Environmental and Neighbor Specialist to focus on environmental issues
- Utilizing of a full-time water truck to control dust emissions
- Constructing and maintaining storm water dikes, ditches and basins beyond those required by permits
- Adding an equipment wash station that completely cleans and recycles wash water
- Regular training and discussion of environmental issues and practices in staff meetings
- Implementing a recycling program with a goal to recycle all on-site steel components, motor oil and filters, batteries, manganese crusher plates, tires, electronic parts, paper and aluminum. The plant has installed a used oil heater and was able to burn 2200 gallons of used oil last year rather than purchasing fuel such as kerosene
LUCK STONE RECEIVES AN EPA GRANT TO HELP REDUCE EMISSIONS
Luck Stone is participating in the first construction equipment repower project in Virginia, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Virginia Clean Cities at James Madison University. Funding from the EPA will help Luck Stone reduce harmful emissions.
EPA’s $710,000 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant, combined with $1.1 million from Luck Stone, will enable the company to repower or replace 11 off-road construction vehicles with new, more efficient diesel engines and generators at plants in Richmond, Charlottesville, Leesburg, and Burkeville.
“Putting clean diesel engines to use will bring cleaner, healthier air for the workers and neighborhoods surrounding these plants,” said EPA mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. “EPA is pleased to support Virginia Clean Cities’ newest initiative to improve air quality and public health for Virginia’s citizens.”
Doug Palmore, Luck Stone’s Vice President of Environmental Design & Development said, “We are honored to be participating in the inaugural construction repower project for Virginia along with the EPA, James Madison University, Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Clean Cities. This partnership lines up perfectly with our environmental ethic and practices which focus on creating a net positive outcome for the environment and communities we serve.”
The new engines will result in a 50 percent reduction in nitrogen oxides and 65 percent reduction in particulate matter for each piece of equipment. Nitrogen oxides and particulate matter are prevalent air pollutants linked to asthma and other respiratory illness. Annually, the project will eliminate 30.85 tons of nitrogen oxide, two tons of particulate matter, 11.93 tons of carbon monoxide, and 2.74 tons of hydrocarbons from being emitted at the four plants.
“The heavy trucks and equipment that are being repowered or replaced are not only striking in their size and capability, but are critical to Luck Stone’s ability to provide quality crushed stone,” said Virginia Clean Cities Executive Director Chelsea Jenkins. “Virginia Clean Cities and James Madison University are energized to participate in such a significant project that will aide in curbing the impact such equipment has on the environment and ultimately Virginia’s economy and the health of its citizens.”
LUCK STONE’S POWHATAN AND SPOTSYLVANIA PLANTS STRIKE GOLD
The National Stone Sand and Gravel Association (NSSGA) recently selected Luck Stone’s Powhatan and Spotsylvania plants for Gold Level Achievement in Environmental Excellence and Community Relations. Gold awards are given to the top 10% of facilities who submit entries and meet specific judging criteria.
The Environmental Excellence award is judged on the following criteria:
1. Fundamental Environmental Programs
2. Employee Training
3. Site Best Management Practices
4. Facility Environmental Outreach Programs
5. Environmental Results
6. Environmental Management Systems
The criteria for the Excellence in Community Relations award are:
1. Community Participation/Outreach/Special Events
2. Donations and Service
3. Local and State Government Involvement
4. Communications
5. Educational Outreach
6. Plant Appearance
7. Media Relations
In order to achieve the specified criteria, Luck Stone’s Powhatan plant implemented tactics that supported an environmental strategy focused on water quality, recycling, community involvement and air quality. Luck’s Spotsylvania plant focused on their involvement with several community organizations, including the Spotsylvania Education Foundation, Spotsylvania Greenway Initiative, Massaponax High School and also proactively engaged federal and state officials to build relationships with members of Congress and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
“It’s a real honor for our plants to receive these national awards,” said John Pullen, President of Luck Stone. “I think it’s fair to say that these awards are more than just recognition for our plants. It’s recognition for the outstanding partnerships our plants have with their local communities and their commitment to the environment.”
For more information regarding the NSSGA and its award program, please click
here.
