Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
American Commercial Lines joins Kentucky's environmental leadership program

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2007) – American Commercial Lines (ACL), one of the nation’s largest and most diversified marine transportation and services companies, has entered KY EXCEL – the Kentucky Excellence in Environmental Leadership program.

ACL, based in Jeffersonville, Ind., entered KY EXCEL at the Master level – highest level of the program. Like other EXCEL members, the company has voluntarily undertaken projects to benefit Kentucky’s environment.

"The KY EXCEL program was established to recognize and encourage the positive efforts of corporate and private citizens who are striving to enhance Kentucky’s environment," said Aaron Keatley, director of the Department for Environmental Protection’s Division of Compliance Assistance, the administering agency. "American Commercial Lines is to be commended for its dedication to increasing its efforts, above and beyond the industry’s environmental requirements, to create a healthier and safer area to live and work. ACL is a leader in its field and a welcome addition to KY EXCEL."

ACL is committed to protecting its environment, employees, and the communities in which the employees live and work, through good stewardship of its manufacturing, maintenance and repair processes, and transportation services.

"American Commercial Lines is thrilled to be a Master member of KY EXCEL," said Sam George, the company’s vice president of environmental compliance.

"It fits perfectly with our compliance management strategy to recognize excellence in environmental management systems and our goal of going beyond compliance standards."

ACL voluntarily committed to:

• Complete the certification process for the Responsible Care Management System, which embraces a comprehensive set of requirements for environmental, health, safety, and security performance.
• Perform emissions testing to determine the type and amount of pollutants that are generated from the large diesel engines used in towboats.
• Conduct at least three meetings of towing and fleeting outside vendors to introduce the concepts of environmental management systems and evaluate how vendors respond before granting them business in the future. As a result, the company will be "greening" its supply chain.
• Update and improve its emergency management system through extensive training of new employees and key management representatives.

ACL began as a coal-moving business on the Kentucky River but has grown to become a family of companies committed to being a leader in the river transportation, manufacturing and port service markets. ACL has 11 facilities in seven states.

Launched in 2006 by the Kentucky Department of Environmental Protection, KY EXCEL is a voluntary program open to any individual, organization, community or business to improve and protect Kentucky’s environment above and beyond the state’s environmental requirements. To learn more about the program, visit www.KYEXCEL.ky.gov or call the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance toll-free at 800-926-8111.