Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet
Louisville Forge & Gear accepted for state's environmental leadership program

GEORGETOWN, Ky. (May 5, 2006) - Louisville Forge & Gear, LLC, a custom manufacturer of impression die steel forgings, has been accepted as a Master member of KY EXCEL, the environmental leadership program of Governor Ernie Fletcher’s administration.

Louisville Forge & Gear made voluntary commitments to reduce energy consumption and waste generation beyond levels required by Kentucky law. The company also committed to increase its recycling.

"The Department for Environmental Protection is excited to welcome Louisville Forge & Gear into KY EXCEL," said Aaron Keatley, director of the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance in the Department for Environmental Protection. The division administers KY EXCEL.

"Louisville Forge & Gear clearly recognizes that sustainability is important to Kentucky. Its commitment to improving Kentucky’s environment while increasing the facility’s efficiency is commendable," Keatley said.

Master membership is the highest of four membership levels for the program. KY EXCEL Masters must demonstrate comprehensive environmental management planning, undergo an independent, third-party assessment of the facility’s compliance and commit to complete and report on at least four voluntary projects that will benefit Kentucky’s environment.

Louisville Forge & Gear’s voluntary projects include reducing the amount of electricity in the forging process and the amount of lubricants and grease that could wind up as waste.

The company pledged to reclaim more of the grease, reduce total waste streams by at least 1 percent and increase the facility’s recycling of scrap materials, cardboard, and plastics.

"At Louisville Forge, we recognize that it is our distinct obligation to be in compliance with and surpass environmental standards set forth by local and federal agencies," Chairman Art Lattanzi said. "We are very pleased to have been accepted into KY EXCEL as a Master member and are confident that participation in this leadership program will contribute favorably toward achievement of the challenging environmental improvement objectives we have set upon ourselves."

KY EXCEL was launched in 2006 by the Department for Environmental Protection to encourage and recognize voluntary efforts that improve Kentucky’s environment. Any individual, business or organization interested in learning more about KY EXCEL can obtain additional information online at www.dca.ky.gov <http://www.dca.ky.gov> or by calling the Kentucky Division of Compliance Assistance at (800) 926-8111.