CEE Members Win ENERGY STAR Awards
Banquet Celebrates Efficiency Achievements

Stars were as ubiquitous inside the Marriott Wardman Park Hotel ballroom as cherry blossoms were on the outside during the 16th annual ENERGY STAR awards banquet. Among the stars on April 1, 2008, were 14 CEE members receiving awards for specific efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases through energy efficiency.

Winning awards for Sustained Excellence were: Austin Energy, CenterPoint Energy, NYSERDA, Oncor Electric Delivery, Southern California Edison, and Wisconsin Focus on Energy.

Not only did these members meet or exceed the Partner criteria, their achievements surpassed those of previous years.

ENERGY STAR Partners of the Year included Pacific Gas and Electric, Arizona Public Service, National Grid USA, and Rocky Mountain Power for their delivery of energy efficiency programs. Unfortunately, Rocky Mountain Power was unable to have a picture made.

Board member Bruce Johnson of National Grid USA actually picked up two awards, the second one for the Joint Management Committee representing Massachusetts New Homes with ENERGY STAR.

The final category, Excellence in ENERGY STAR Promotion, also showcased CEE member's efforts. Efficiency Vermont, Energy Trust of Oregon, Inc. Long Island Power Authority, and NJBPU, New Jersey's Clean Energy Program were lauded. Long Island Power Authority was unable to be present for the photo session.

In addition to awarding the plaques, the evening was punctuated with videos produced in support of efficiency and Champagne toasts at every table.

Andrew Karsner, assistant secretary for energy efficiency and renewable energy at DOE spoke first about the importance of the achievements represented in the room.

Kathleen Hogan, Director of Climate Protection Partnerships offered a warm and affectionate welcome to all the organizations she's worked with so closely.

DOE Cabinet Secretary Sam Bodman commented. "There are incredible opportunities to increase and maximize energy efficiency in our homes, businesses and industrial facilities," Secretary Bodman said. "The innovative products offered by our 12,000 ENERGY STAR partners are making energy efficiency possible, attractive and advantageous for American consumers.  The ENERGY STAR program successfully empowers consumers to participate directly in securing our energy future and reducing greenhouse gas emissions."

Finally, Marcus Peacock of EPA humorously thanked the banquet sponsors, all the while careful not to give the impression of endorsing any product or service, for instance, Pepsi!