DEP Seeks Nominations for Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence
January 4, 2012
Contact: Samantha DePoy-Warren, Maine DEP Director of Communications & Education samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov / (207)592-0427 (cell)
-The annual awards program from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will honor entities whose innovation has resulted in measurable environmental and economic benefits-
AUGUSTA ? The Maine Department of Environmental Protection in partnership with Governor Paul LePage is relaunching a recognition program to spotlight the state?s stewards of sustainability.
Nominations are now open for the Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence, which will honor businesses in four workforce size categories, nonprofits and public entities for going beyond standard techniques or regulatory requirements to creatively meet environmental challenges.
Award applicants will be asked to show how their project or program was innovative, collaborative, resulted in measurable and meaningful environmental and economic benefits and could be replicated by others doing similar work. Finalists will undergo a compliance review by the DEP to ensure they are conforming with all laws, rules and applicable licenses administered by the department.
Completed nomination forms, which can be downloaded from DEP?s website, are due to the department by Friday, Feb. 17 with the awards being presented by Governor LePage and Commissioner Pattie Aho in April to coincide with Earth Day. Self-nominations are encouraged.
?Through this awards program, Maine DEP and the Governor?s Office will celebrate those who have initiated innovative ways to shift a culture toward sustainability while investing in infrastructure and creating jobs,? Commissioner Aho explained. ?These winners will prove that what is good for Maine?s environment is also good for our economy while inspiring others to follow in their footsteps in proactively protecting Maine?s environment.?
A similar environmental excellence awards program was discontinued by the department in 2005 to the disappointment of the regulated community. Commissioner Aho said the decision to relaunch the annual awards starting in 2012 was to recognize the many environmental leaders she has seen while touring the state during her tenure who are modeling the department?s vision of a mutually healthy environment and economy but who often go unrecognized.
?A strong economy and protecting our natural resources go hand in hand and Maine DEP has done a great job moving in this direction,? said Dana Connors, president of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. ?The Maine State Chamber of Commerce thanks the Maine DEP for relaunching the Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence officially recognizing that Maine?s business community is one of our greatest environmental stewards.?
For more information about the Maine Department of Environmental Protection?s Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence or to download an application, visit http://maine.gov/dep/assistance/govaward.html or contact Samantha DePoy-Warren at (207)287-5842 or samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov.
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