Novi Energy Company Receives Michigan's Highest Environmental Award

ITC Holdings Corporation, an energy transmission company headquartered in Novi, received the Clean Corporate Citizen Award (C3) from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality in an outdoor ceremony Tuesday.

The C3 Program is a voluntary environmental program that recognizes environmental stewardship at Michigan facilities, according to a press release from the DEQ. Candidates demonstrate facility-specific environmental management systems, have active pollution prevention initiatives at their facilities, and have a consistent record of compliance with state and federal environmental requirements.

"It's hard to get into the program, and it's hard to stay in the program. There are very demanding tests and criteria such as developing a strong environmental management system...to help the company go beyond requirements," said Bryce Feighner, Chief of the Office of Environmental Assistance for the DEQ.

ITC is the nation’s largest fully independent electric transmission company, providing the bulk transfer of electrical energy from generating plants to substations serving communities and businesses across the state. ITC owns and operates high-voltage transmission facilities in Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri and Kansas along approximately 15,000 circuit miles of transmission line, according to a press release.

The corporation's new environmental management system recovered more than 5.7 million pounds of recycled metal and 284,000 gallons of oil across ITC operations in 2011. 

"This award and this company are proof that environmental and economic sustainability can be achieved together," ITC Michigan President Gregory Ioanidis said at the ceremony.

Both Novi Mayor Bob Gatt and City Manager Clay Pearson also spoke at the event to congratulate the company.

"We're so proud because ITC is the complete package. They've got the great facility, they've got the great system that supplies what we need every day for our power needs, and then also as part of that complete package they provide environmental stewardship," said Pearson.

ITC is the 174th Michigan facility to receive the C3 award.