Nominations Wanted By February 22 For DEP-Administered Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence
February 6, 2013
Contact: Samantha Warren, Maine DEP Director of Communications, samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov / (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 ? Nominations are being sought through Friday, Feb. 22 by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection for the Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence.
Launched last year by Governor Paul R. LePage and DEP, the annual awards honor entities that go beyond regulatory requirements to steward Maine?s environment.
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 organization or initiative was innovative, collaborative and resulted in measurable and meaningful environmental and economic benefits.
?The new Governor?s Awards for Environmental Excellence is just one of the many ways DEP is celebrating its partners in protection who help us in making Maine a place where so many people want to live, work, play and invest,? said DEP Commissioner Patricia W. Aho in calling for nominations. ?I encourage those who are stewarding our state?s natural resources while ensuring a strong economy to please apply and share their sustainability stories with us and others with this commitment to environmental protection.?
Completed nomination forms, available on DEP?s website at www.maine.gov/dep, are due to the department by Friday, Feb. 22 with the winners being notified prior to the awards being presented by Governor LePage and Commissioner Aho in April to coincide with Earth Day.
Self-nominations are encouraged.
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.
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 Warren at (207) 287-5842 or samantha.depoy-warren@maine.gov.
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