Dear PEP Members:

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we thank you for your consistent support and membership in PEP, particularly over the past several turbulent years. Like you, we have spent significant energy into combatting increasing inflation by diligently seeking methods to reduce costs and to work as efficiently as possible. We are happy to report we will not increase membership dues in 2024. In fact, dues have remained unchanged since 2019. We recognize and truly value your choice to continue to invest in PEP’s mission of economic growth in balance with a healthy environment and to connect your company’s good name to ours.

Led by an active Board of Directors and committees consisting of member volunteers, we continue to be recognized as the voice of reason. In 2023, we have increased our membership, initiated a signature environmental project, and grown our networking events. With your assistance, we continue to invest in growing PEP’s influence and impact. 

In 2023, we adopted a significant project designed to restore and revitalize marine ecosystems across Coastal Alabama - The Eagle Reef Project. We provided business and community support, including providing public comments on a number of issues involving industry and our environment. We continued to track the combined reduction in Green House Gas emissions from our 2023 Environmental Stewardship Awards. We also provided many continuing education and networking opportunities, continued our PEP Science and Technology Scholarship Program, hosted our 23rd Annual Industrial Reverse Trade Show, and so much more - check out our full year-end recap on the website!

You should have received your 2024 Membership Dues Renewal Invoice this week. If you do not see it in your inbox, please let Lindsey know at lindsey@pepmobile.org. Our Membership dues, which continue at 2019 rates, provide more than a third of PEP’s annual revenue. I hope you will remain steadfast in your decision to support PEP and protect our local natural resources by renewing your Membership before February 28, 2024. Thank you! 

On behalf of our board of directors, we wish you, your family, and your company a joyful Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year!

Jennifer Denson, Executive Director

2023 ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AWARDS

In September, we announced our award recipients, and for the next few months, we will highlight all of the projects. This month, we're sharing projects from PEP members AM/NS Calvert and BASF. Learn more by click their project photos below.

PEP ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LUNCHEON, FEATURING MAYOR SANDY STIMPSON

PEP members enjoyed hearing from Mayor Sandy Stimpson on updates from the city regarding public safety, new projects, and more.

MOBILE BAY NEP ANNUAL BREAKFAST

The Mobile Bay National Estuary Program hosted an excellent Annual Breakfast last week! They recognized committee co-chairs who are ending their 5-year term, and our very own Jennifer Denson was honored for her recent role on the Finance Committee.

We also had the opportunity to connect with other environmental leaders, including Roberta Swann, Mobile Bay NEP Executive Director; Patti Powell McCurdy, State Lands Director of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR), and Dr. John Lehrter, Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences at The University of South Alabama.

PEP SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION NOW OPEN

If you or your children are attending college or graduate school, be sure to consider the PEP scholarship program! This scholarship is designated for local employees of PEP member companies and dependents. The application for the 2024 PEP Scholarship is open from December 1, 2023 through March 31, 2024. More information can be found at this link.

THE CITY OF FAIRHOPE HELPS THE EAGLE REEF PROJECT REACH FIRST MAJOR MILESTONE

We're one step closer to our goal of 1,000 Eagle Reefs across the Alabama coast! The city of Fairhope has joined our project, deploying 14 Eagle Reefs at city-owned locations to foster habitats for fish, crabs and oysters. A total of 62 reefs were installed on December 6. This is an important first milestone for this project!

The Eagle Reef Project was started by high school senior John Shell as his Eagle Scout project. His goal was to provide habitats for fish and improve water quality on the Gulf Coast. Through partnering with PEP and the University of South Alabama Stokes School of Marine and Environmental Sciences, this project now allows anyone with Bay access to help improve the environment in which they live.

Check out the press the project received from FOX10 News, WKRG, Bay Business News, and Gulf Coast Media.

ARKEMA NAMED MANUFACTURER OF THE YEAR

PEP member Arkema was presented with the 2023 Manufacturer of the Year at the 9th Annual State of the Economy, presented by the Mobile Chamber. The annual event is attended by more than 300 community and business leaders from across the region.

AIRBUS AND EVONIK RECOGNIZED WITH MANUFACTURE ALABAMA AWARDS

During the Manufacture Alabama 2023 HR, Safety and Environmental Conference Safety Achievement Awards were presented to the 2022 winners.

Two PEP members were recognized in Division 4. Evonik was awarded first place, and Airbus received the second place award. Congratulations!

CITY OF MOBILE HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION EVENT RESCHEDULED

The Household Hazardous Waste Collection event has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 20, 2024.

This free event will allow Mobile residents to safely and responsibly discard items not accepted by routine trash and garbage collection services. You can find a complete list of acceptable items by clicking here. 

The event is open to Mobile residents and individuals only. Contractors and businesses will not be allowed to participate. Prior registration will not be required. Residents can drop off approved items at Seals Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, please contact the City of Mobile Environmental Department at (251) 208-7151.

KICK OFF 2024 WITH A PEP MEMBERSHIP BREAKFAST

Make plans now to join us for the first PEP event of 2024! For our first membership breakfast, we will hear from Bryan Crabb with Tenaska about the Longleaf Carbon Capture and Storage HUB (CCS). Tenaska is developing a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project that would serve emissions customers in South Alabama. The Longleaf CCS Hub will help manufacturers, industrial producers and power generating facilities meet growing environmental requirements in a cost-effective, responsible manner.