Colorado companies making dramatic progress in battling pollution; promise further gains.

DENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 1995--Colorado companies have reduced their hazardous pollutants by more than 67% in the past five years, according to the latest figures from the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

This was pointed out today (June 12, 1995) by George S. Dibble Jr., president and chief executive officer of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI), the state's largest multi-industry business association.

Dibble lauded industry efforts to prevent pollution stating: "Colorado has made pollution prevention an important goal for both industry and government. Placing an emphasis on voluntary actions such as pollution prevention and self-auditing by industry is an enlightened and progressive method of dealing with environmental problems."

Pollution prevention reduces the use and creation of hazardous chemicals in the initial stages of production so it focuses on the source of the pollution.

The Pollution Prevention Partnership, a voluntary alliance of business, government and public interest groups organized to reduce pollution and waste in Colorado industries, was successful in reducing use of the ozone-depleting solvent Trichloroethane (TCA) by 90% by the four member companies of the partnership, he added.

In addition, 25 large Colorado manufacturers have pledged they will reduce their use of 20 targeted hazardous chemicals by 20% and total wastes/emissions by 30% by the year 2000 in a voluntary, state-wide effort to prevent pollution. This latest effort came as the companies accepted a challenge by Gov. Romer for additional pollution prevention.

Kay Clark, who co-chairs the Manufacturers Council of the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry (CACI), said each of the companies is developing specific strategies to reduce pollution. Clark said the companies will focus on reducing the use of certain hazardous chemicals. She said the companies also agreed to reduce the generation of solid waste and the consumption of energy and water.

Other efforts include continuation of the highly successful CACI-supported pollution prevention program begun in 1992. The program established the Colorado Pollution Prevention Advisory Board which oversees the pollution prevention program in Colorado which the legislature re-authorized in the past legislative session. The Advisory Board also disburses grants to qualified organizations who provide training and technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses.

Companies pledged to reduce pollution even further in response to the Governor's challenge include: ASARCO Inc.; AT&T; Ball Corp.; Battle Mountain Resources; Central Products Co.; Conoco Denver Refinery; Coors Brewing Co.; CF&I Steel; Eastman Kodak Co.; Hauser Chemical Research Inc.; IBM Corp.; Lexmark International Inc.; Lockheed Martin; Mastercraft; NTI Inc.; Schlage Lock Co.; Storage Technology Corp.; Symbios Logic Inc.; Syntex Chemicals Inc.; The Gates Rubber Co.; Unisys Corp.; and Velie Circuits of Colorado Inc.

CONTACT: Freeman/Mullins Group

Gerry Freeman, 303/232-3870