CHICAGO, IL: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) will honor organizations that are significantly advancing development of the green power market. The annual Green Power Leadership Awards, which will be held on Tuesday November 4th in conjunction with the National Green Power Marketing Conference, will recognize leading national green power purchasers and suppliers.

Awards for leadership in green power purchasing will be presented by EPA and DOE to 19 organizations. The highest honor, Green Power Partner of the Year Award, will be presented to the University of Pennsylvania, the City of Portland, Johnson & Johnson, and Dyess Air Force Base. Additional awards winners include the following: White Wave; Clif Bar; Tower Companies; Kinko’s; Austin Grill; State of New Jersey; City of Moab; BMW; Toyota Motors Sales; Fala Direct Marketing; Domaine Carneros; Hayward Lumber; the City of San Diego, CA; and Solano County, CA.

“Forward-thinking companies recognize that buying green power is an important step in corporate environmental responsibility,” said Kathleen Hogan, Director of EPA’s Climate Protection Partnerships Division.

The national green power market is growing in response to demand from leading commercial and industrial organizations, universities, and state and local governments. Because of market demand created by voluntary green power markets, over 1000 megawatts of new renewable generating capacity has already been brought on-line, with another 400 megawatts planned.

" The 2003 Green Power Leadership Awards demonstrate impressive growth of green power purchases and the increasing opportunities to use renewable energy nationally," said Mark Ginsberg of the U.S. Department of Energy.

Recognition for outstanding leadership by green power marketers and renewable energy advocates will be given by the Center for Resource Solutions. The Green Power Supplier and Marketer Awards will be presented to the following: Green Mountain Energy Company for the Keep Winter Cool” Sustainable Slopes Event; Austin Energy’s GreenChoice Program; Sarah Wright – Coordinator of the Utah Wind Power Campaign; Think Energy; Michael Freeman of Exelon; and Rachel Shimshak of the Renewable Northwest Project.

“Recognition for the exceptional efforts of leading green power marketers, renewable energy advocates and government agencies, is fundamental to building the renewable energy industry,” said Jan Hamrin, Executive Director of CRS. “Their contributions through innovative marketing and educational outreach lead to the green power purchases that help increase our renewable energy supply and protect our natural resources.”

Additional information regarding the Green Power Leadership Awards is available at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/gpleadership.htm

About the Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Leadership Awards are part of the recognition offered through the Green Power Partnership, an EPA voluntary program working to standardize green power procurement as part of best practice environmental management. Partners in the program pledge to switch to green power for a portion of their electricity needs in return for EPA technical assistance and public recognition. The Green Power Partnership currently includes over 220 Partner organizations, and the total annual green power commitment by Partners exceeds one billion kilowatt hours. Additional information is available at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/

About the Center for Resource Solutions
The Center for Resource Solutions is a nonprofit organization that makes it easier for families and businesses to understand and use renewable energy that benefits the environment. CRS sponsors national and international programs that support the increased supply and use of renewable energy resources such as wind, solar, biomass, geothermal and low-impact hydroelectric power. CRS administers Green-e Energy, the nation’s leading voluntary certification and verification program that sets standards for renewable electricity-based products. To learn more about CRS visit http://www.resource-solutions.org

About the U.S. Department of Energy’s Green Power Network
The Green Power Network is the nation’s premier website providing green power market information. Additional information is available at http://www.eren.doe.gov/greenpower

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for the full release, please see: http://www.crs2.net/ge/gp8.awards.pdf