Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition, at its annual affiliates conference held March 26, 2010 at Roanoke’s Claude Moore Education Complex, recognized the finalists and announced the winners of its “Cool Citizen Awards” for 2010. These awards are presented by the coalition to individuals, businesses, and government agencies whose efforts have contributed to the overall reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with the coalition’s overall mission.
The 2010 “Cool Citizens Awards” finalists and winners are:
Category: Business – Winner – Structures Design / Build, Adam Cohen, owner
“Structures” was cited for its contribution to and work on the Center for Energy Efficient Design, currently under construction at the Gereau Center for Applied Technology and Career Exploration in Franklin County; also for its innovative offering of the Passive House low- or no-energy building design.
Category: Media – Winner – Dan Smith, Valley Business Front
Mr. Smith was cited for his commitment to environmental responsibility in the business community, throughout his editorial career including his earlier affiliation with the Blue Ridge Business Journal and his current work with Valley Business Front.
Category: Government– Winners – Charlotte Moore, Cave Spring District Supervisor, Roanoke County; AND Franklin County Schools
Ms. Moore was cited for her involvement and support of the work of Roanoke County to measure its carbon footprint, set specific reduction goals for community greenhouse gas emissions, and establish a citizens committee to further these goals through community involvement.
Franklin County Schools received recognition for its commitment to the Center for Energy Efficient Design. Teachers Neil Sigmon and John Richardson have been closely involved with this project and received the award on behalf of Franklin County Schools.
Category: Individual -Winner – Mark E. Hanson
Mr. Hanson was cited for commitment to renewable energy innovation, his initiative in forming a local chapter of the Renewable Energy and Electric Vehicle Association through which he has recruited a cadre of volunteers to provide help with DIY renewable energy systems in the community.
Category: Nonprofit – Winner – Sharebike (founder Ron McCorkle)
Sharebike was cited for its effectiveness in raising awareness of bicycling, a completely emission-free form of travel, as a viable element of our local transportation system, and for its involvement with other groups to stimulate, support and link together a wide range of community-based bicycle initiatives in the Roanoke Valley.
Category: Special Achievement – Winner – Billy Weitzenfeld, Executive Director, Association of Energy Conservation Professionals
Mr. Weitzenfeld was recognized as the driving force behind the Green Living and Energy Expo, which over the past ten years has become one of the premier energy conservation events in the country, drawing thousands of citizens and business people to learn and exchange ideas about energy efficiency and conservation.
By Mark McClain [email protected]