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Charles W. Zahn, Jr., POCCA Commission Chairman, and Sarah Garza, POCCA Director of Environmental Planning and Compliance accept 2018 TEEA

Corpus Christi, TX, USA – Governor Greg Abbott and Chairman Bryan Shaw, Commissioners Toby Baker and Jon Niermann of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality applauded the Port of Corpus Christi for its efforts to protect the state’s natural resources through innovative and proactive environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Delegates from the Port of Corpus Christi traveled to Austin to receive the 2018 Texas Environmental Excellence Award (TEEA) in Pollution Prevention, presented by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and met with Governor Abbott and TCEQ Commissioners.

TEEA is an annual awards program that honors achievements in environmental preservation and protection and is considered the state’s highest environmental honor. The Port’s Commission Chairman, Charles W. Zahn, Jr., and Director of Environmental Planning and Compliance, Sarah Garza, accepted the TEEA on behalf of the Port of Corpus Christi at the awards banquet.

Environmental leadership led by the 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 utilization. Cited among the most impressive, however, “is its strong educational, training, and outreach components.” Read more from the TEEA here.

“Achieving a balance between the environment, our community, and the economy is fundamental to meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to do the same,” said Charles W. Zahn, Jr., POCCA Commission Chairman. “The Port has implemented a strategic plan to ensure its continued economic success while ensuring its operations and activities are conducted in a manner conducive to environmental sustainability and resiliency.”

Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, Texas State Representative Todd Hunter and various area delegation offices also recognized the Port of Corpus Christi on the House Floor with a proclamation.

“The Port of Corpus Christi is very deserving of the environmental award from TCEQ.  The Port is an economic and conservation steward for our region,” said Representative Todd Hunter.

About Port Corpus Christi

As the leading U.S. crude oil export port and a major economic engine of Texas and the nation, Port Corpus Christi is the 4th largest port in the United States in total tonnage.  Strategically located on the western Gulf of Mexico with a 36 mile, 47 foot (MLLW) deep channel, Port Corpus Christi is a major gateway to international and domestic maritime commerce.  The Port has excellent railroad and highway network connectivity via three North American Class-1 railroads and two major interstate highways. With an outstanding staff overseen by its seven-member commission, Port Corpus Christi is “Moving America’s Energy.” http://www.portcorpuschristi.com/

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 Click for pdf download: 2018 TEEA