Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: CoriAhna Rude-Young, (651) 296-5965 St. Paul, Minn. -- The State of Minnesota is accepting applications and nominations for its Governor's Award Program for Pollution Prevention. Projects that reduce waste and pollution at its source, conserve natural resources, protect groundwater, save energy and practice sustainability are eligible for the award. Applications will be accepted until noon on Aug. 1, 2008. This year, the State of Minnesota is seeking nominations and applications in three categories:
-- Governor's Awards - Business/Non-Profit honor superior environmental achievement by Minnesota businesses, non-profits and private institutions for excellence in waste reduction and pollution prevention.
-- Governor's Awards - Government/MnGREAT acknowledge Minnesota's public institutions and government for their efforts and success in environmental planning.
-- Governor's Awards - Partnerships recognize exceptional environmental accomplishment by collaborations between Minnesota non-profit organizations, businesses, agencies and institutions. This is an opportunity to recognize leaders at the highest level of environmental achievement. Projects will be judged based on the following criteria: benefit to the environment, economic efficiency, level of commitment and leadership, innovation; and the ability of the project to serve as a model for others. The application form and examples of past winners are available at /govaward. Winners of the award will be recognized at Minnesota's Air, Water, and Waste Environmental Conference in February 2009.