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June 28, 2006
Today Nicor Gas was presented with the Southern Gas Association’s 2006 Environmental Excellence Stewardship Award for a seven-acre prairie restoration of unused land adjacent to its Elgin, Illinois facility. The restoration project replaced turf grass with environmentally friendly native landscape which reduces emissions and results in cleaner air, better water control, and the promotion of biodiversity.
“We are honored to receive this award in recognition of our prairie restoration. Nicor Gas is committed to the well-being of our communities and their environmental surroundings. Our Elgin prairie restoration project will benefit surrounding communities by helping reduce pollution and conserve water while creating a beautiful landscape of blooming wildflowers for all to enjoy” said Rocco D’Alessandro, Senior Vice President Operations for Nicor Gas.
Nicor Gas implemented the prairie restoration project in November 2005 in cooperation with Openlands, a not-for-profit organization that works with corporations to convert turf grass to native landscapes, and Pizzo and Associates restoration landscapers. The project is part of Nicor Gas’ voluntary efforts as an adopter of Clean Air Counts, a public-private initiative to reduce smog-forming pollutants and energy consumption. Clean Air Counts is a collaborative effort between the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 5 and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency aimed at bringing the Chicago area into compliance with the national air quality standard and reducing respiratory-related illnesses.
There are many environmental advantages to installing native plants. Once established, they will provide a habitat for a variety of native wildlife species. In addition, they help absorb pollution by serving as a “carbon sink,” taking carbon out of the atmosphere and
storing it in the plants. Besides the environmental advantages, they also reduce maintenance costs as they do not require pesticides, fertilizers, or watering and native landscape does not need to be mowed like a conventional lawn.
This new landscape will include a considerable number of flowering species that will bloom throughout the growing season, adding beauty to the site, which is within a small industrial park flanked by single-family homes and facing a busy commuter rail station.
Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for over 50 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. | 
