Special Air Quality & Special Environmental Awards

The Special Award Program is used by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the Environmental Affairs Board (EAB), to recognize innovative programs that reduce pollution and improve the environment in Forsyth County. Businesses, industries and other organizations may apply for an award.

Applications must be submitted by March 6, 2010 to be considered by the EAB at their March 16, 2010 meeting. Board members review the submitted applications and determine which programs merit the issuance of a Special Award. In order to fully evaluate applications, the Environmental Affairs Board requests invites all applicants to attend the board meeting to discuss the activity/project. Awards selected will be presented by the Forsyth County Commissioners at a later date.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Environmental Affairs Department for an application or download one from the links below.

Special Air Quality Award – Business and Industry (download application)

The Special Air Quality Award Program is used by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the EAB to recognize Forsyth County businesses and industries for implementing innovative programs that reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Businesses and Industries that reduce air pollution beyond the minimum required by regulations are eligible for the Special Air Quality Award.

Special Environmental Award – Business and Industry (download application)

The Special Environmental Award Program is used by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the EAB to recognize Forsyth County businesses and industries for implementing innovative programs that reduce pollution in other media, such as, water, solid waste, and hazardous waste. Businesses and industries that reduce pollution beyond the minimum required by regulations or achieved using standard business and industry practices are eligible for the Special Environmental Award.

Public Sector Special Environmental Award (download application)

The Public Sector Special Environmental Award Program is used by the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners and the EAB to recognize organizations in Forsyth County for implementing innovative programs that improve the environment. Examples include pollution reductions, natural resource conservation, energy conservation, and environmental awareness promotion. Nonprofit organizations, volunteer groups, local governments, and the general public are eligible for the Public Sector Special Environmental Award.

  1. 2008 Special Environmental Award

    Presented to Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina for: Reducing 2,600,000 pounds of solid waste by refurbishing and recycling computers, CRT monitors and related computer devices.

    Goodwill Industries of Northwest North Carolina

    Richard Linville presenting a Special Environmental Award to Goodwill Industries of Northwest N.C. (from left to right: Richard Linville, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners; John Leonard, E Manager, Goodwill Industries of Northwest N.C.; and Peter DeVries, Chairman of the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Board.)

  2. 2008 Special Air Quality Award and 2008 Special Environmental Award

    The 2008 Special Air Quality Award was presented to Highland Industries for reducing volatile organic compound air emissions by controlling the reclaim and virgin toluene storage tanks and R#6 unit.

    A 2008 Special Environmental Award was presented to Highland Industries for fifty percent reduction in their solid waste stream by reusing and recycling cardboard tubing.

    Highland Industries

    Beaufort Bailey, Board of County Commissioners (back center), presented the awards to Highland Industries. (from left to right: Bryan Roan, Janae Wells and Scott Burkhart, of Highland Industries; and Peter DeVries, Chairman of the Forsyth County Environmental Affairs Board.)

  3. 2007 SPECIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD

    Presented to Dry Cleaning Station for: Investing in Environmentally Responsible Technology, Significantly Reducing Adverse Environmental Impacts and Providing the Citizens of Forsyth County a Safe Dry Cleaning Alternative

    Dry Cleaning Station

    Commissioner Richard Linville presenting the Special Environmental Award to Dry Cleaning Station. (from left to right: Richard Linville, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners; Peter DeVries, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board; Bill Patton, Dry Cleaning Station; and Gray Patton Dry Cleaning Station)

  4. 2005 SPECIAL AIR QUALITY AWARD

    Presented to VP Buildings, Inc. for: Converting from Solvent to Waterborne Paint Coating, Resulting in a 76 Percent Reduction in Hazardous Air Pollution Emissions for 2005

    VP Buildings, Inc.

    Presentation of the 2005 Special Air Quality Award to VP Buildings, Inc. (from left to right: Peter DeVries, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board; Jennifer Williams, Environmental Coordinator, VP Buildings; Richard Linville, Forsyth County Commissioner; Dennis Dozier, Plant Manager, VP Buildings)

  5. 2004 SPECIAL AIR QUALITY AWARD

    Presented to Highland Industries for: Reductions in VOC Emissions

    Highland Industries

    Commissioner Debra Conrad-Shrader presenting the Special Air Quality Award to Highland Industries, Inc. (from left to right: Debra Conrad-Shrader ( Vice Chair, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners), Peter DeVries (Vice Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board), Gary Voss (Highland), Chess Maxwell (Highland), Bryan Roan (Highland)

  6. 2004 SPECIAL AIR QUALITY AWARD

    Presented to Johnson Controls, Inc. for: Reductions in Lead Air Emissions and Reductions in Hazardous Waste Liquids Containing Lead and Petroleum Naptha

    Johnson Controls, Inc.

    Commissioner David Plyler presenting the Special Environmental Award to Johnson Controls, Inc. (from left to right: David Plyler, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners; Vaughn Benton, Johnson Controls; Peter DeVries, Vice Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board; Rick Irby; Johnson Controls)

  7. 2003 SPECIAL AIR QUALITY AWARD

    Presented to LARCO Construction, a division of Nello L. Teer Company, Inc., for: Installation of A New Hauck Eco-Star II Burner, Thus Increasing Fuel Efficiency By 25% and Reducing Fuel Related Air Pollution

    LARCO Construction

    Commissioner David Plyler presenting the Special Air Quality Award to LARCO Construction. (from left to right: Barry Henderson, Chairman, Environmental Affairs Board; David Plyler, Forsyth County Board of Commissioners; Robert Ponton, LARCO; Fred Fenske, LARCO)