NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 15, 2006
CONTACT: Tony Benson
Communications Coordinator
507-280-1534
tbenson@rpu.org

Nominations needed for 2006 Environmental Achievement Awards

ROCHESTER, MN— Rochester Public Utilities (RPU) and the Olmsted County Environmental Commission are seeking nominations for the 2006 Environmental Achievement Awards. The goal of the awards is to promote and encourage innovative approaches to environmental and conservation challenges and to develop an environmental and conservation ethic within our community and county. “The Environmental Achievement Awards are a great way to recognize the groups and people in the community who work tirelessly to improve environmental efforts throughout the city and county,” said Patty Hanson of RPU.

Nominations are sought until October 27, 2006 of individuals, families, youth, organizations, or businesses that have made a significant contribution in 2006 towards environmental quality in any of the following categories: renewable efforts, conservation, energy, water, agriculture, education, and other.
Last year’s recipients were:

1. Ward Lutz for Energy. Lutz, who chairs the Olmsted County Clean Energy Resource Team, is a singular force in raising community awareness about energy choices.
2. PossAbilities for Conservation. PossAbilities collects recyclable materials.
3. NeighborWoods for Energy and Conservation. NeighborWoods plants boulevard trees, developed a citizen’s foresters program, and inventoried most of the city’s trees in a GIS database.
4. John Marshall Science Social Service Club (S3) for Education. S3 activities include: recycling promotion, volunteering for trash clean-up, and promoting environmental awareness.
5. Susan Schreurs for Education. Schreurs teaches an environmental science class on a voluntary basis. Topics range from energy systems to ecosystem sustainability.
6. Gael Entriken for Energy Education. Entriken is tireless as a key organizer in such groups as Rochester Energy Futures Coalition and SE Minnesota’s Clean Energy Resources Team.
7. City of Rochester for the Water Quality Protection Program for Water. The City was responsible for closing failing wells and septic systems that had the potential of affecting the City’s groundwater resources.

This year’s recipients will be honored at an awards banquet on Thursday, January 18, 2007 at the Rochester Golf & Country Club.

Nomination forms are available by calling (507) 285-7087 or visiting www.rpu.org. All nominations and support materials should be sent to: Michelle Rysavy Olmsted County Environmental Commission, 2116 Campus Drive S.E. Rochester, MN 55904. Faxed or e-mailed nominations are also acceptable: fax number (507) 280-4799 or rysavy.michelle@co.olmsted.mn.us

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