The Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC) honored the winners of its 2nd annual Virginia Energy Efficiency Leadership Awards at a reception in Richmond November 2 attended by more than 125 people as part of the VAEEC Fall Meeting. Governor McAuliffe received the first-ever Award of Excellence for his leadership on energy efficiency during his tenure as Governor. The Northern Virginia Regional Commission and the Local Energy Alliance Program won a first place award for their Solarize NoVA campaign.
VAEEC received more than 45 nominations for the 6 awards which showcase how energy efficiency champions across the Commonwealth are helping businesses, schools, government and homeowners save money on energy expenditures while reducing energy consumption — all while stimulating job growth and our economy.
“The winning entries are proof that energy efficiency has tremendous 
potential to drive economic growth, create jobs, shrink utility bills, conserve natural resources and reduce pollution,” said Chelsea Harnish, VAEEC Executive Director. “The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy just named Virginia one of three “Most Improved States” in its 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, and these winners reflect the type of innovative, forward-thinking projects that will keep that momentum going in the Commonwealth.”
The ACEEE report together with these Awards follow on the heels of VAEEC’s recent report which highlighted energy efficiency as a $1.5B industry in Virginia, supporting 75K jobs.
The winners represent innovative, results-oriented approaches that are saving homeowners, renters, schools, local and state governments — indeed, every one of us as taxpayers — millions every year: From instituting an Energy Management Office for a school district to retrofitting state buildings that house the Governor’s Office and Supreme Court of Virginia to energy performance contracting for a hospital to a certified LEED Gold convention center to weatherization that could save low-income families hundreds of dollars annually.