Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards Presented to Eight Honorees for Reducing Energy Waste

LANSING, Mich. — Eight winning individuals and organizations from across Michigan were recognized at the Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards for their extraordinary efforts to reduce energy waste. The winners were announced by Gov. Rick Snyder and honored at a ceremony in Grand Rapids on September 5. “Michigan has made incredible strides in advancing clean energy, making our future brighter and saving money for residents across the board,” Gov. Snyder said. “The progress we’ve made is a result of employers, utilities, municipalities and many others taking innovative approaches to address our energy needs. I’m incredibly proud that Michigan continues to be a national leader in reduction of energy waste and costs, and thank all the employers and individuals honored here tonight for their contributions.”

Winners of the Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards by category are:

Best Residential Project
James Stump, Lyons

Best Public Project
Genesee Intermediate School District, Flint

Best Agriculture Project
Continental Dairy Facilities, LLC, Coopersville

Best Industrial/Manufacturing Project
ArcelorMittal, Detroit

Best Commercial Project (Private)
IBEW Local 58, Detroit

Contractor of the Year
WMGB Home Improvement, Wyoming

Innovator of the Year
Major General Michael Stone, Lansing

Best Program
Homeless Shelters Initiative, Okemos

The winners’ energy solutions ranged from improving existing structures with energy-efficient, state-of-the-art heating, cooling and lighting systems to constructing new buildings, all with a goal of reducing energy waste and improving overall sustainability.

Also recognized were 13 award finalists:

Best Residential Project
Nancy Choura, South Haven
Roy Cole, Holland

Best Industrial/Manufacturing Project
Verso Corporation, Escanaba Mill

Best Commercial Project (Private)
Metea Court Apartments, Buchanan
Otsego Apartments, Jackson

Best Public Project
Holland Board of Public Works, Holland
Van Buren Intermediate School District, Lawrence

Contractor of the Year
Albert Heating & Cooling, Sault Ste. Marie
Ecotelligent Homes, Farmington Hills

Innovator of the Year
Dave Heinz, Petoskey
Kenneth Randazzo, Detroit

Best Program
EnergySmart Grocer, East Lansing

Residential Energy Performance Labeling Pilot Program, Holland

Four other individuals and organizations received honorable mentions:

Robert Katrinic, Holland (Residential)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Public)
Michael Abraham, Jr. and Sam DiNello, Sterling Heights (Innovator of the Year)
House of Worship Rewards, Jackson (Program)

Information about the honorees’ innovative energy solutions can be found at: https://mienergyexcellence. org/award-finalists-and- winners-2018.

The Governor’s Energy Excellence Awards honor Michigan individuals and organizations who have made reducing energy waste and implementing energy-efficient practices part of their everyday lives. The awards would not be possible without the support of the Department of Energy and the Michigan Agency for Energy through the Michigan Energy Office. Other sponsors include CLEAResult; Consumers Energy; Dow Chemical Company; DTE Energy; DNV GL; ITC; and SEMCO ENERGY Gas Company.

For more information on the awards, go to www.mienergyexcellence.org. For winner and finalist photos and project descriptions, click on “Finalists.”

*Article and Photo courtesy of MI Energy Excellence