City Announces ‘Green Awards’

Mayor Michael J. McGlynn announced Saturday at the Green Medford Earth Day event the creation of a Green Awards program to recognize businesses and citizens whose improved energy efficiency, use of renewable energy, and other actions to conserve resources are helping to improve Medford today and in the future.

“Medford and its residents have been at the forefront of sustainability and green practices and this program will provide an opportunity to reward and recognize businesses and residents who are leaders in the environmental movement.” McGlynn stated. “Our businesses, residents, and organizations are engaged in practices and innovations that are making Medford greener, healthier, and a better place to live and work.”

The Green Awards program is being co-sponsored by the Medford Energy Committee and the Medford Chamber of Commerce.

“We all know a local business or neighbor that is working to make Medford a more sustainable and livable place and the Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor a program that rewards and encourages such environmentally responsible actions. The actions of each individual can make a difference because Medford starts with Me” Said Chamber President Charlotte Scuderi.

The goal is to target residents and businesses to acknowledge the accomplishments that have been achieved through energy conservation and sustainable practices, while also educating and inspiring the Medford community to take action to reduce their own carbon footprints. The City of Medford has been completing energy efficiency projects in municipal buildings for over 10 years to reduce energy costs and green house gas emissions. However, the majority of Medford’s building energy use is in the residential sector at approximately 51%, followed by commercial use at 39%, manufacturing at 7% and municipal use at 3% (data based on 2010 Census Data, Bureau of Labor Standards, Energy Information Administration, 2007 Residential Energy Consumption Survey and the 2003 Commercial Building Energy Survey).

Awards will be presented in two categories – business, including non-profit organizations, and residents. Practices being considered for award include renewable energy, energy conservation, environmental advocacy, water conservation, waste reduction and reuse, sustainable landscaping methods, and other innovative environmental and energy conservation practices.

Nominations will be accepted electronically and will be judged by the members of the City of Medford Energy Committee and a representative from the Chamber. The awards will be presented to the winners this fall at the City’s annual Harvest Your Energy Festival which will be held on Saturday October 13, 2012 at the base of the City’s wind turbine.

Mayor McGlynn thanked the members of the City’s Energy Committee and the Chamber for their support and hard work on this exciting project and thanked Green Medford for organizing the Earth Day event. “Medford is a forward thinking city with a lot of people who not only talk the talk but walk the walk when it comes to leading by example on environmental and energy sustainability issues” McGlynn said. “The Green Awards allow us to take the time to recognize and thank some of those dedicated environmental leaders.”

For information or to complete nomination forms, please visit medford.org/greenawards or call Medford’s Director of Energy and Environment Carey Duques at 781-393-2137.

– Submitted by Medford Director of Energy and Environment Carey Duques