The Aspen Institute has opened nominations for the third annual Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards. These awards, created by members of the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network, recognize and reward excellence for those making a real and concrete contribution to innovation, implementation, and communication of energy and environmental solutions. The deadline for nominations is April 16. Nominations can be made at www.aspeneeawards.org.

"We're excited by the response from last year, and by the difference that 2009 winners have made in creating an environmentally sustainable new Energy future," says Bill Dirks, Chairperson for the 2010 Energy and Environment Awards. "By drawing attention to cutting edge leaders, corporations, and educators, we hope this program will draw public attention and involvement in solving energy and environmental problems domestically and around the globe."

The over-arching aim of the awards is to identify success, celebrate it publically, and provoke public conversations about ways to emulate and expand upon the success of award winners. Awards for Corporate Innovation, Government, Visual Arts, NGO, and Individual Thought Leadership are being presented this year. The awards will be presented, in Aspen, Colorado, at a special ceremony being planned for July.

Past award winners include: the California Energy Commission's Million Solar Roofs Initiative for moving the state toward a cleaner energy future by lowering the cost of solar energy systems for consumers; A123Systems for disruptive and scalable solutions in electricity storage; The Extreme Ice Survey for highlighting and reframing our understanding of climate change through visual images; and Amory Lovins for scalable and disruptive thought leadership in energy conservation and transportation.

More details on the awards can be found at www.aspeneeawards.org or by emailing aspeneeawards.inquiries@aspeninstitute.org.

The Aspen Institute mission is twofold: to foster values-based leadership, encouraging individuals to reflect on the ideals and ideas that define a good society, and to provide a neutral and balanced venue for discussing and acting on critical issues. The Aspen Institute does this primarily in four ways: seminars, young-leader fellowships around the globe, policy programs, and public conferences and events. The Institute is based in Washington, DC; Aspen, Colorado; and on the Wye River on Maryland's Eastern Shore. It also has an international network of partners.

Aspen Institute

Aspen Institute

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization based in Washington, DC. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues. The Institute has campuses in Aspen, Colorado, and on the Wye River on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. It also maintains offices in New York City and has an international network of partners. For more information, visit www.aspeninstitute.org or follow on Twitter @AspenInstitute.

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