Sarasota
County Government Wins the First "Florida Energy Achievement
Award"
|
FSEC director Jim Fenton (left) presented
the 2005 Florida Energy Achievement Award to Sarasota County
Government in October. Accepting the award in a ceremony
at the center were (l to r) Jodi John, manager
of Sustainable Sarasota; Nina Powers, Sustainable Sarasota
education specialist, and Gary Patton, Sarasota County
energy coordinator. (Photo: Nick Waters ) |
The 2005 Florida Energy Achievement Award, a new program
sponsored by the Florida Solar Energy Center to recognize
significant achievement in the efficient utilization of energy,
energy conservation, energy education or renewable energy in
Florida, has been awarded to Sarasota County Government.
A wide variety of energy and environmental programs are demonstrating
Sarasota’s
commitment to sustainable principles and practices as part of
community building that integrates economic prosperity, social equity
and environmental quality.
The FSEC awards committee chose Sarasota for its many programs that reduce
organizational energy use, conserve water, and provide support to other
agencies and businesses in their community that are interested in energy
conservation.
Among the specific programs and activities are the county’s policy
that all buildings constructed or renovated meet the highest level of
green building certification; a holistic approach to watershed management,
conservation and protection; environmentally preferred procurement practices;
a "green" building incentive/recognition program for local commercial
and residential builders; presentation of conservation awards to individuals,
businesses and organizations, and having the first school hydrogen fuel
cell demonstration project in the country and new hydrogen education curriculum
for their schools.
FSEC, the state of Florida’s energy research institute, established
the new award to recognize statewide leadership in sustainable energy
savings. The award was created as part of activities celebrating the center's
30th anniversary this year, and will be presented annually to an organization,
company or individual in the state. In addition to an award given to the
winner, there will be permanent recognition in the energy center's complex
in Cocoa.
For more information on this award, contact Ken Sheinkopf at 321-638-1007.