SAN DIEGO, June 2, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has received an award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its efforts to protect and preserve the environment during 2004.
Continental Maritime, a subsidiary of the company's Newport News sector, was recognized for its commitment to become the nation's first zero-discharge shipyard. Operating under a National Pollution Discharge Elimination System permit, Continental Maritime eliminated all point-source discharges, including storm water, into San Diego Bay.
The EPA presented these awards to businesses, government officials, tribes, environmental organizations and citizen activists from California, Arizona, Nevada and the Pacific Islands for demonstrating a commitment to environmental protection and resource conservation. The winners were selected from a pool of more than 175 nominees.
Continental Maritime began this environmental effort in 2001 by installing a collection system to divert all runoff from the San Diego Bay. They re-routed steam condensate from boilers back to the boilers and diverted air-conditioning condensate and fresh-water fire-main discharges to collection tanks for sewer disposal.
They also used cutting-edge technology to eliminate a saltwater fire-main discharge, which is used as fire protection for many of the U.S. Navy vessels moored at the facility. The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board has inspected the new saltwater fire-protection system and confirmed that all point-source discharges have been eliminated.
Located in San Diego, Continental Maritime delivers service and support to aircraft carriers as well as other ships in the U.S. Navy fleet stationed on the West Coast. Continental Maritime is a certified Master Ship Repair Contractor with the U.S. Navy and has accomplished hundreds of ship repair contracts for the Navy and Military Sealift Command.
Northrop Grumman Newport News, headquartered in Newport News, Va., is the nation's sole designer, builder, and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News sector employs about 19,000 people.