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2008 Inspiring Efficiency Awards

Evening of January 10, 2008
Drake Hotel
Chicago, IL

We believe that celebrating passion and dedication within the energy efficiency field inspires positive action. We will recognize leaders in the Midwest that have made great strides in increasing energy efficiency awareness and innovative technologies, policy and programs in the region with the 4th Annual Inspiring Efficiency Awards.

We are pleased to announce the following winners of the 2008 Awards:

Inspiring Efficiency EDUCATION Award—Schools for Energy Efficiency, Minnesota, for implementing a program to save energy and money by changing behavior throughout school districts through increasing energy awareness among operations staff, students, teachers, and administrators. The program is in 400 schools, resulting in average energy savings of 10-20% and avoiding $9.2million in energy costs in its first four years. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency IMPACT Award—MiraCit Development Corporation for developing Green View Estates. The first “green” subdivision of the City of Columbus, Ohio, the site upholds rigorous environmental standards while producing affordable homes. Homes in the subdivision are 25 to 40% more efficient than standard homes, saving $900 per year. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency MARKETING Award—Rochester Public Utilities, Minnesota, for developing a Commercial Communications Plan to maximize commercial customers’ participation in efficiency programs. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency INNOVATION Award—George Bialecki, Illinois, for founding Alternative Energy Builders, a corporation that builds energy efficient communities, and for founding Alternative Energy Living, a non-profit foundation focused on research and energy efficiency education. He will be representing the USA in the 2008 Beijing Green Olympics for his building innovations. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency LEADERSHIP Award—Minnesota: Senator D. Scott Dibble, Representative Jeremy Kalin, Sheldon Strom from Center for Energy and Environment, and Christy Brusven of the Department of Commerce for their coalition effort to lead the first, most comprehensive energy policy adoption in the Midwest. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency LEADERSHIP Award—Illinois: Senator Don Harmon and Anne Pramagiorre from Commonwealth Edison for their leadership to gain adoption of the Affordable, Clean Energy Standard, creating a 2% efficiency standard for Illinois. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency LEADERSHIP Award—Ann Arbor, Michigan: The Ann Arbor Energy Office for its long-standing commitment to sustainable energy use. The Energy Office manages projects and programs, develops information resources, and provides expert advice to move the city toward more sustainable energy use. Read More...
 

Inspiring Efficiency CHAIRMAN’S Award—Sara Ward: Retiring Director of the Ohio Department of Development, Office of Energy Efficiency, a founding and active member of the MEEA Board of Directors and stalwart supporter of energy efficiency and renewable energy policy in the Midwest.