News Release — Gov. Peter Shumlin
June 29, 2015
Montpelier, Vt. – Recipients of the 2015 Governor’s Awards for Environmental Excellence were announced and recognized at a ceremony at the State House today. Environmental excellence awards have been given since 1993 to recognize efforts and actions of Vermonters to conserve and protect natural resources, prevent pollution, and promote environmental sustainability. To date, more than 200 efforts have been recognized.
“From businesses and non-profits to municipalities and educational institutions, it’s inspiring to see the work Vermonters are doing on a day-to-day basis to protect our environment and quality of life. I want to congratulate and thank all of the recipients for their hard work and dedication to keeping Vermont beautiful,” said Gov. Peter Shumlin.
“These projects contribute significantly to Vermont’s environmental quality and encourage others to take similar actions to protect our resources,” said Deb Markowitz, Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources. “They demonstrate the importance of innovation and partnerships in enhancing and sustaining Vermont’s environmental quality.
Vermont schools will be recognized at a ceremony on August 6 at a Vermont Principals Association summer leadership conference in Killington.
This year’s recipients include:
Businesses
Central Vermont Medical Center (Berlin) – Reduced electrical energy usage hospital-wide by 26 percent.
General Electric Aviation (Rutland) – Conversion of high-pressure pumps to electronically controlled, variable frequency drives, resulting in significant energy savings.
IBM (Essex Junction) – Greenhouse gas emissions reductions in semi-conductor manufacturing processes by IBM’s Etch Engineering Team.
IBM (Essex Junction) – Optimization of IBM’s wastewater treatment system by IBM’s Wastewater Treatment team, resulting in significant reduction in electricity usage, chemical input, water use, and waste generation.
Mountain Meadow Farm (Sudbury) – Numerous on-farm environmental stewardship practices implemented to protect water quality, reduce phosphorus and other nutrient pollutants in stormwater runoff.
TAM, Inc. (Shaftsbury) – First commercial organics composting operation in Bennington County with innovative educational programs for customers and schools.
Non-Profit Organizations
Ottauquechee Natural Resources Conservation District- The River Road Show, a traveling educational display, uses a stream table to demonstrate how rivers and streambanks react to human impacts, and has educated thousands of Vermonters on flood resiliency.
UVM Extension (Burlington) – Created the Certification for Sustainable Transportation program, with driver training and certification programs that have been utilized by over 50 transportation companies across the nation, training and certifying over 10,000 participants.
UVM Extension 4-H (Morrisville) – Created Teens Reaching Youth (TRY), where teens lead renewable energy lessons for children in grades K – 3.
Lewis Creek Association (Charlotte) – Implemented a successful gully stabilization project on a farm, reducing sedimentation and erosion by over 90% from six gullies.
Municipal Organizations
Mount Holly- Mount Holly, through the community organizing efforts of resident Marcy Tanger, has been a leader in home weatherization projects, with 11% of all year-round homes weatherized, and many more having received energy audits.
City of Montpelier – The Montpelier Wastewater Treatment Facility has implemented several energy conservation practices and has cut energy use in half.
Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District (Montpelier) – Established the Additional Recyclables Collection Center (ARCC) as an outlet for hard-to-recycle items for District member towns.
Educational Institutions
Lake Region High School (Orleans) – Implemented a school community-wide energy efficiency and sustainability program and has been designated as an EPA Green Ribbon School for its efforts.
Thetford Elementary (Thetford) – The school diverts 75% of its waste through recycling and composting through its Bust That Waste Stream! program
Vermont Schools Achieving Energy Star Building Certification
The following schools are among those in Vermont to achieve EPA EnergyStar Building Certification for Schools. These schools are in the top 25% of schools nationwide in energy efficiency, while also meeting standards for health, ventilation, comfort and lighting quality. These schools are part of Project Green School, a collaboration led by Efficiency Vermont and the Vermont Superintendents Association’s School Energy Management Program.
U-32 (Montpelier)
Burlington School District – Champlain Elementary, Sustainability Academy, CP Smith Elementary, and JJ Flynn Elementary
Essex School District – Essex Elementary, Essex Middle School, Founders Elementary
Hanover/Norwich – Marion Cross School
Hinesburg Community School
Lamoille Union School District – Lamoille Union High School and Green Mountain Technology Career Center
Rivendell Interstate District – Samuel Morey Elementary and Westshire Elementary
South Burlington School District – Chamberlin School, Frederick H. Tuttle Middle School, Orchard School, Rick Marcotte Central School, South Burlington High School.
