Home » Beam upgrades KY EXCEL membership

Beam upgrades KY EXCEL membership

Facilities become master members

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Sept. 5, 2013) — Beam Inc., a global premium spirits company, has upgraded its Clermont and Boston, Ky., facilities’ memberships in the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection’s (DEP) environmental leadership program, KY EXCEL, to a Master member – the program’s highest level.

Jim Beam in Clermont, Ky., last year opened American Stillhouse, a new visitors center. The distillery is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.
Jim Beam in Clermont, Ky., last year opened American Stillhouse, a new visitors center. The distillery is part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail.

KY EXCEL recognizes public, corporate and private sector organizations that act to improve Kentucky’s diverse and unique environment through environmental leadership.

“The Department for Environmental Protection is pleased that Beam has chosen to upgrade its membership in the KY EXCEL program to the Master level,” said Aaron Keatley, deputy commissioner of DEP and acting director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. “Beam continues to expand its efforts to preserve and protect the environment through voluntary activities at its facilities. We support these efforts and congratulate Beam for taking its membership in the program to a higher level.”

Beam is the largest U.S. producer of distilled spirits, crafting a variety of spirits, including bourbon, whiskey and vodka, among others. The company’s Clermont and Booker Noe (Boston) facilities both earned the prestigious KY EXCEL Master member level.

“Being stewards in environmental sustainability is fundamental to how we operate each day at Beam,” said Steve Lutes, vice president of technical services for Beam. “As we continuously strive to preserve and protect the environment, we look to align with innovative programs, like KY EXCEL, which provide a great framework for sharing and pursuing best practices beyond compliance.”

The five environmental projects chosen by Beam are to replace old-style venture flow meters with more accurate ultra-sonic meters to more effectively monitor water usage; install Barn Owl nesting boxes; install signs so tourists know that the Jim Beam American Stillhouse is LEED-certified, as well as what building materials were used to reach Gold status; install three bat boxes; and the Campus Pride Project, for which Beam employees pick up trash and debris around the Jim Beam American Stillhouse.

Launched by DEP in 2006, KY EXCEL is a voluntary program open to any individual, organization, community or business to improve and protect Kentucky’s environment above and beyond the state’s environmental requirements. To learn more, visit dca.ky.gov/kyexcel/ or call the Division of Compliance Assistance toll-free at 800-926-8111.