Port of Corpus Christi earns 2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Award

According to TCEQ Chairman Brian Shaw, Port Corpus Christi demonstrated a genuine commitment to environmental stewardship by adopting a progressive environmental policy and setting targets for improvement each year.

“The Port of Corpus Christi is guided by principals,” Shaw said. “They not only set standards for themselves, but also for their partners, setting examples as forward-thinking environmental stewards in the industry and in the community.”

Environmental leadership by Port Corpus Christi commissioners has been integral to winning the 2018 Pollution Prevention award; a recently approved environmental policy identified five key precepts to consider when evaluating new developments and operations: air quality, water quality, soils and sediments, wildlife habitat, and environmental sustainability. The Port’s environmental stewardship efforts focus on improvements and proactive measures related to these precepts, and the TEEA awards committee cites the implementation of the Port’s strategic plan to ensure operations and activities are environmentally sustainable and resilient.

TEEA also noted several milestones Port Corpus Christi has achieved in finding balance between the environment, community, and the economy, from dredge material reuse, to its impressive green energy utilisation. Cited among the most impressive, however, “is its strong educational, training, and outreach components.”

“Environmental stewardship is an effort that we must undertake to be successful, and this prestigious recognition is a culmination of the diligent efforts and willingness of our Port employees and our stakeholders to continually reduce the environmental footprint of our operations,” said Sarah Garza, Port Corpus Christi Director of Environmental Planning and Compliance. “Prioritising our improvements and each year committing to continually improve has brought us to this point and will sustain our operations in the future.”

Other categories in the prestigious environmental awards are Education, Civic/Community, Innovative Operations/Management, Individual, Youth, Agriculture, and Water Conservation. These diverse award categories provide citizens, communities, businesses, and organisations an opportunity to obtain the state’s highest environmental honour and be recognised for environmental projects.

Since 1993, the TEEA has honoured over 250 successful environmental projects and efforts. By honouring these winners, the TCEQ hopes to encourage others to initiate like-minded projects and reinforce a spirit of environmental stewardship.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/dry-bulk/20032018/port-of-corpus-christi-earns-2018-texas-environmental-excellence-award/