USGBC West Michigan’s Battle of the Buildings Selected as Finalist in First Annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards

GOV

 

 

GRAND RAPIDS, MICH. (Sept. 21, 2015) — The Michigan Battle of the Buildings has been announced as a finalist for a Governor’s Energy Excellence Award in the category of Best Communication, Education or Program. The Michigan Battle of the Buildings is a statewide competition — a Biggest Loser-style event — that allows Michigan businesses to celebrate their success in energy efficiency, as well as the thousands of dollars they save in lower energy bills. It is one a project of the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter, a LEED leader whose mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated in a way that improves the quality of life in West Michigan.

“The members of the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter are absolutely thrilled that the first annual Michigan Battle of the Buildings has been horned as a Michigan energy leader through this recognition as a finalist in the first annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards,” said Cheri Holman, executive director of the U.S. Green Building Council West Michigan Chapter (USGBC-WM), which organized the competition. “Michigan’s biggest building losers of 2014 saved the equivalent in greenhouse gas emissions of 2.7 million miles driven by an average passenger vehicle.”

The first annual Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards, sponsored in part by the Michigan Agency for Energy, honors Michigan organizations and individuals for their commitment to responsible energy production and consumption. Michigan has emerged as a leader in energy efficiency and these awards are meant to showcase outstanding achievements in reducing energy waste.

An awards ceremony will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, in Lansing.

“Reducing energy waste doesn’t have to mean scaling back or doing less. These nominees have demonstrated that it’s possible to do as much or more by finding new and innovative ways to get things done,” said Gov. Rick Snyder. “This is important because reliable and affordable energy fuels Michigan’s economy, and continuing to reduce our energy waste is one of the main ways we are going to keep energy prices affordable in Michigan.”

Nominations were made in one of eight categories celebrating differing ways in which energy efficiency can be achieved in the state of Michigan. The award categories include:

  • Best Projects (commercial, residential, public sector, industrial/manufacturing, and agriculture)
  • Innovator of the Year
  • Contractor of the Year
  • Best Communication or Education Program