Gwen Mason, Roanoke City Council - Ms. Mason was instrumental in the formation of Roanoke's Clean and Green Business Coalition. She pushed for establishment of target emissions reduction for the City of Roanoke, the first municipality in the Roanoke Valley to make such a pledge. She worked toward establishment of Citizens for Clean and Green, a diverse community group promoting energy conservation, efficiency and other green initiatives.

Kenneth Cronin, Director of General Services, City of Roanoke - Mr. Cronin directed the Virginia Municipal League award-winning effort to reduce greenhouse gasses, and has done numerous presentations throughout the state about how municipalities are dealing with climate change and energy management. The City of Roanoke achieved a 1.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions under his leadership, and he is an integral part of the Citizens for Clean and Green committee.

Other nominees in the Government category included Charlotte Moore, Cave Spring District Supervisor, Roanoke County; Anne Marie Green, Director of General Services, Roanoke County; Jim Vodnik, Assistant General Services Director, Roanoke County; and Howard Packett, former mayor, Salem.

BUSINESS (two winners)

Breakell, Inc. General Contractors - This company is a leader in the sustainable business practices movement in Roanoke. President Stan Breakell was instrumental in founding Roanoke's Clean and Green Business Coalition. First in the Valley to deploy a fleet of Prius hybrid sedans, Breakell continues to push the envelope on the sustainability front.

Roanoke Cement, A Titan America Company - Roanoke Cement was cited for its $12,000 grant to support measurement of community and government carbon footprints for Roanoke County and the City of Salem. The company reduced its own electricity use by approximately 6% in 2008 and received an Energy Star citation for energy savings.

Other nominees in the Business category were the Clean and Green Business Coalition and Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op.

NON-PROFIT (two winners)

Hollins University - Hollins has embarked on a program to make their entire campus "carbon neutral". They measured their carbon footprint, the first establishment of this magnitude to do so in the Roanoke Valley. Hollins hosted a film festival "Putting a Chill on Global Warming" (2007) that served as the kick-off for the local campaign for responsible energy use, and they have brought outstanding expert speakers on the subject of global climate change and sustainability to Roanoke Valley.

US Green Building Council Southwest Virginia Chapter and Nell Boyle - During Ms. Boyle's tenure as chair of this group, they hosted a wide range of programs to educate the general public about green building. This organization is the leading regional resource for sustainable building practices. Members include architects, builders, real estate specialists and professionals in related fields.

Also nominated in the Non-Profit category was Girl Scouts of Virginia Skyline Council.

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT (two winners) - This award category recognizes individuals or organizations who may not fit into one of the other categories or whose accomplishments were of such importance as to deserve special recognition.

Rupert Cutler - Dr. Cutler was one of the original board members of Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition and served in that capacity until his appointment to Roanoke City Council earlier this year. He was a working director, regularly helping with events and activities, in addition to providing a solid foundation of experience and knowledge of the community. Board Chair Diana Christopulos said simply this: "Without the involvement and commitment of Rupert Cutler, our organization would not be what it is today".

Jeff Barrie and "Kilowatt Ours" - The only award recipient who is not based in Roanoke Valley, Nashville independent filmmaker Jeff Barrie was cited for his masterpiece film "Kilowatt Ours" which has now been shown thousands of times around the country, including over twenty screenings sponsored by Roanoke Valley Cool Cities Coalition. With just the right combination of alarm and hopefulness, "Kilowatt Ours" jolts people into action to conserve energy, reduce pollution, and save mountains from strip-mining. "It