Winners of 2nd Annual Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards

(press release)

The Aspen Institute proudly announces the winners of the second annual Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards, which will be presented at a special ceremony on March 27, 2009, during the Aspen Environment Forum.

Created by the Aspen Institute Global Leadership Network*, the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards recognize and reward excellence for those making a real contribution to innovation, implementation, and communication of energy and environmental solutions.

The six awards, presented at this annual event, are designed to draw attention to the organizations and people who are making the biggest strides, acting as leaders, catalysts, and educators, particularly at the critical nexus between energy and environmental problems and solutions from around the world. The object is to celebrate success and provoke intellectually stimulating and productive thinking and conversations about ways to emulate and expand upon the success stories honored.

The 2009 Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards winners are:

* Corporate Energy Generation – A123Systems
* Corporate Energy Efficiency – Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
* Government – Province of Alberta's Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative
* Non-governmental Organization – Confederation of Indian Industry – Sohrabji Green Business Center
* Visual Art and Design – The Extreme Ice Survey
* Individual Thought Leadership – Van Jones

"In these challenging economic times it is more important than ever to recognize and support those who inspire us with their imagination, foresight and creativity, and give us all something to aspire to and replicate," said Lucy P. Marcus, CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting and Co-founder and Board Chair of the Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards.

The Aspen Institute Energy and Environment Awards are sponsored by CH2M Hill and Leaf Clean Energy Company and will be presented during the Aspen Environment Forum, March 25-28, 2009, at the Institute's Aspen Meadows campus in Aspen, Colorado. The 2009 Aspen Environment Forum, themed "Powering the Planet: Energy for the Long Run," is a public gathering, presented by the Aspen Institute and National Geographic, of more than 300 thought leaders, scientists, journalists, academics, policy makers, and citizens.

* – The Aspen Global Leadership Network is comprised of 950 entrepreneurial leaders from 43 countries, all of whom have participated in the Henry Crown Fellowship or one of the 12 leadership initiatives whose creation it has inspired. All of the initiatives seek to foster values-based leadership, encourage Fellows to move from "success to significance" in their lives and leadership, and ultimately, to make a difference in the world.