Five firms join DES Aspiring Leaders effort.

Five New Hampshire businesses have been named the first participants in the state Department of Environmental Services' Aspiring Leaders Program.

Taking part in the new program are: North American Specialty Insurance of Manchester; New Hampshire Ball Bearings' HiTech Division, Peterborough; New Hampshire Ball Bearings' Astro Division, Laconia; EnviroSystems Inc., Hampton; and Monadnock Paper Mills Inc., Bennington.

The program is designed by DES to encourage better environmental performance by firms, going beyond the minimums required by laws and regulations, said Commissioner Tom Burack.

Burack said the participating companies have taken on goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, electricity, fuel and water use and to mentor a high school environmental club. They also will report on the tangible results of their activities.

"By making a public commitment to work with us to move toward better environmental performance, these companies are making New Hampshire a better place to live and work," said Burack.

Membership in the Aspiring Leaders program is open to any organization, public or private, in New Hampshire.

For more information, contact Bob Minicucci at DES, 603-271-2941 or e-mail [e-mail].