FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2009
Nominations sought for Spare the Air awards
COLUMBIA - Nominations for the second annual “Spare the Air” awards ceremony are now being accepted, the state Department of Health and Environmental Control announced today.
"This award recognizes the excellent work that people and organizations are doing voluntarily to improve air quality in South Carolina,” said Myra Reece, chief of DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality. "Air quality has gained a great deal of attention in recent years and people are recognizing the link between air quality and their health. We want to show our appreciation to those who go the extra mile to help protect our environment.”
Reece said the goals of the award program include promotion of a healthier environment through air quality initiatives, increasing awareness and motivating residents to make better decisions about the environment through air quality improvements, encourage changes in behaviors to improve air quality and strengthen partnerships to improve air quality.
“Nominees may be individuals, community groups, businesses, schools, government agencies, organizations, colleges and universities that commit to new air quality reduction strategies and policies, or expand on existing ones,” Reece said. “Previous applicants and award winners from 2008 are eligible and encouraged to apply again for on-going efforts or new projects.”
Reece said recipients of the 2008 award included the Lexington County Council and Fire Service Division for passing and implementing an open burning ordinance; Furman University for improving sustainability on campus and supporting air quality initiatives in the Upstate; and S.C. State Museum Science and Outreach Director Tom Falvey for his work with the 2008 “Mow Down Pollution” lawn mower exchange.
Nominations must be received by July 31, 2009. Eligible projects may demonstrate reductions in air pollution for any part of the state. This year’s recognition event will be held in Columbia Nov. 18.
For more information and the award nomination package, please visit http://www.scdhec.gov/SpareTheAirAwards
For questions about this event, please contact Debra Briggs-Monroe at 803-898-3752 or at briggsmd@dhec.sc.gov
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For more information:
Debra Briggs-Monroe - (803) 898-3752
E-mail - briggsmd@dhec.sc.gov
Thom Berry - (803) 898-3885
E-mail - berrytw@dhec.sc.gov
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