KDHE Home - News 2001 - News Release
Kansas
Department of Health & Environment
Bill Graves, Governor
Clyde D. Graeber, Secretary
Embargoed for release after 2 p.m. on
September 20, 2001
Contact: Mike Heideman, 785-296-5795
Two Kansas companies received Pollution Prevention Awards presented by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment at the annual environmental conference in Hutchinson today. Cross Manufacturing, Lewis, and Prestige, Inc., Neodesha, were honored with the awards.
Cross Manufacturing converted a painting system from solvent-based to water-based paint, and reduced flammable waste by 96 percent. Cross has three manufacturing facilities located at Hays, Lewis and Pratt, with the corporate offices at Overland Park. The company employs 300 people and manufactures hydraulic pumps, valves, cylinders and fittings for a world wide market.
Prestige, Inc. received an award for their efforts in UV-cured coatings for wood finishing, recycling of acetone, and using sawdust for composting. In the first year of operation, 2,470 tons of sawdust were kept out of the landfill, saving Prestige $9,000 in fees. Prestige pays Tri Valley $6 per ton to take the wood dust, which will be reduced until no costs are incurred, for a future savings of at least $24,000 per year.
Utilicorp United, Inc. received an honorable mention at the awards ceremony. UtiliCorp has announced that they would purchase the entire output from a 110-megawatt wind farm to be constructed near Montezuma. Florida Power and Light is constructing and will operate the facility, which is expected to start producing electricity late this fall.
The annual conference, which took place September 19-20 in Hutchinson, provides regulatory information and pollution prevention technologies for businesses, communities, consultants, attorneys and others interested in environmental issues.