FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2024
Contact:
Josh Valentine, Communications Director, Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP)
jvalentine@swenergy.org
__________
[BOULDER, CO] – The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) announced its 2024 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards yesterday, recognizing a distinguished and diverse group of awardees. The honorees include the outgoing President of the Colorado State Senate, a former research director at two Department of Energy laboratories, a state environmental agency, and a city sustainability office.
The announcement was made at SWEEP’s annual Utility Workshop, held this year in Tempe, Arizona. Tony Schaffhauser was present to personally receive his Lifetime Achievement Award. SWEEP honored Mr. Schaffhauser for dedicating his professional career to advancing energy efficiency and clean energy. His career highlights include serving as research director at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and National Renewable Energy Laboratory and serving as a SWEEP Board member since the organization’s founding in 2001, with many years as chair.
“We are indebted to Tony Schaffhauser for his many decades of commitment to SWEEP and the vision of a world where everyone has access to the clean, affordable energy they need,” said Elise Jones, SWEEP’s Executive Director. SWEEP Founder Howard Geller added, “Tony’s thoughtful advice was always spot on, and instrumental in helping SWEEP become a more effective organization and leader in the energy efficiency arena.”
Geller, Schaffhauser, and Jones at the Workshop
SWEEP also presented a joint award to the Flagstaff Sustainability Office and Eli Chamberlain, founder of Cozy Home, a home weatherization company. The City of Flagstaff has been a municipal leader in Arizona on sustainability and climate policy, taking early action with a Climate Emergency Declaration and Carbon Neutrality Plan, among other proactive efforts. Mr. Chamberlain has played a key role in Flagstaff’s sustainability success by supporting the city’s home rebate program through the direct installation of cold-climate heat pumps and other home efficiency upgrades aimed at saving residents money and reducing climate pollution.
“Thanks to the Sustainability Office, Flagstaff’s Home Weatherization and Energy Rebate Program is a model for other communities to follow,” said Ramon Alatorre, Senior Manager of SWEEP’s Utility Program. “The program is designed with best practices, such as focusing more benefits where the need is greatest and ensuring that the right equipment is used and correctly sized for each home. But even the best-designed program would fall short without effective implementation and partnership from local contractors – so a big shout-out to Eli for helping make Flagstaff’s program the huge success it is.”
SWEEP also honored Steve Fenberg, the President of the Senate in Colorado’s state legislature, with a Leadership in Energy Efficiency Award. During his eight years in the Colorado General Assembly, Senate President Fenberg championed climate, clean energy, and clean transportation initiatives. His leadership included guiding several key measures through the Senate and sponsoring legislation on climate targets, transit funding, electricity generation, gas utility planning, decarbonization tax credits, climate resilience, and beneficial electrification.
“Senate President Fenberg has been a real climate champion, authoring complex bills, negotiating hard-fought compromises, and doggedly demanding forward progress,” said Jones. “His efforts have helped put Colorado on the map as a national leader in climate action.”
SWEEP also presented an award to New Mexico’s Environment Department, which, under Secretary James Kenney’s leadership, championed the Advanced Clean Cars II & Trucks Standards. This initiative has spurred transportation electrification and ensured that New Mexicans have access to the latest electric car and truck models.
“Under the leadership of Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Secretary Kenney, and the talented team at the New Mexico Environment Department helped secure the biggest step forward in transportation energy efficiency that New Mexico has ever taken,” said Alex Eubanks, New Mexico Representative for SWEEP. “Thanks to their hard work and dedication, New Mexico is driving toward its climate goals while unlocking billions of dollars in benefits for all residents.”
###
The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) is a public interest organization promoting greater energy efficiency, clean transportation, and beneficial electrification in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. swenergy.org
The post SWEEP announces 2024 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards first appeared on Southwest Energy Efficiency Project.