Maine Department of Environmental Protection Seeks State Sustainability Stewards for Governor's Awards for Environmental Excellence
December 19, 2012
Contact: Samantha DePoy-Warren, Maine DEP Director of Communications, (207) 287-5842
-The annual awards program from the Maine Department of Environmental Protection will honor entities whose voluntary innovation has resulted in measurable environmental and economic benefits-
AUGUSTA ? The Department of Environmental Protection and Governor Paul R. LePage are seeking nominations from Maine?s leaders in sustainability for the State?s environmental excellence awards.
Nominations are now open for the DEP-administered Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence, which will honor entities that go beyond standard techniques or regulatory requirements to creatively meet environmental challenges or opportunities. The six award categories include: businesses with 19 or fewer employees; businesses with 20 to 99 employees; businesses with 100 or more employees; local, state federal or tribal entities; not-for-profit organizations; and new ventures begun in the last 24 months.
Award applicants will be asked to show how their project or program was innovative, collaborative and resulted in measurable and meaningful environmental and economic benefits. 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 - available on DEP?s website at http://www.maine.gov/dep - are due to the department by Friday, Feb. 22 with the awards being presented by Governor LePage and Commissioner Patricia W. Aho in April to coincide with Earth Day. Self-nominations are encouraged.
DEP with support from Governor LePage relaunched the dormant environmental awards program last year to recognize Maine?s many environmental leaders who are modeling the department?s vision of a mutually healthy environment and economy.
The 2012 Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence, held at Jotul?s North American Headquarters and manufacturing facility in Gorham, honored Idexx, CLYNK, the George R. Roberts Company, Maine Energy Systems, the Washington County Council of Governments and the Environmental Living & Learning for Maine Students Project, a partnership between the Chewonki Outdoor Classroom for Schools, Ferry Beach Ecology School and the UMaine 4-H Camp and Learning Center at Bryant Pond and at Tanglewood that offers subsidized residential environmental education to Maine students.
?We know that without our natural resources and a healthy environment, we won?t have a sustainable and vibrant economy,? said DEP Commissioner Aho. ?Last year?s winners were proof positive of that, and we look forward to reviewing this year?s nominations and meeting more of Maine?s environmental leaders who are stewarding our state?s natural resources while strengthening our economy.?
For more information about the Maine Department of Environmental Protection?s Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence or to download an application, visit http://www.maine.gov/dep or contact Samantha DePoy-Warren at (207) 287-5842 or samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov.
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