The Business Energy Awards are the capstone of the Hartford Business Journal’s annual Business Energy Summit, now marking its fourth year. This year’s winners were selected from candidates nominated from across the greater Hartford region by a panel of industry-qualified judges who assessed each nominee’s project or achievement against three distinct categories, energy Innovation, Conservation and Policy/advocacy.
Our finalists represent the latest in what organizations throughout our region are doing to adopt green practices that are saving vital resources, improving our environment and quality of life and saving dollars. The awards will be presented during the morning of the Energy Summit on September 18, following the keynote address. All finalists will be announced and awards presented to the winners in all three categories.
According to a 2008 study released by the federal Small Business Administration, the impact of energy costs is significantly more pronounced for small businesses than for large firms. On average, the study found that in the commercial sector, energy costs for small businesses are nearly triple that of large firms. Small and medium sized businesses make up much of Connecticut’s economy and there is a need to address their desire for lowering energy costs. The Hartford Business Journal’s 2009 Business Energy Summit is designed to provide attendees with practical energy conservation and money saving strategies to help businesses operate more efficiently and cost-effectively.
For information on registering for next year’s Energy Summit or to nominate for next year’s awards, contact Amy Orsini at the Hartford Business Journal at 860-236-9998 ext. 34.
About The Judges:
Joel Gordes is president of Environmental Energy Solutions, an energy consulting firm involved in multidisciplinary aspects of energy, environment, security and economic development. A former state representative, Gordes served as vice chair of the energy and public utilities committee during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Judy Wlodarczyk is the director of environment and energy at CONNSTEP Inc., where she provides environmental assistance to Connecticut manufacturers. She is a former principal investigator for the Department of Energy and has more than 25 years experience in environmental consulting and environmental marketing.
Subhash Chandra is the program manager of the advance boiling water reactor at Westinghouse Electric Co. Chandra is the former director of the Clean Energy Institute at the University of Hartford and former chief technology officer of Connecticut Clean Energy Fund.
