The Energy Systems Laboratory (ESL) and the Texas chapters of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced the annual Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) Awards at a ceremony held recently in San Antonio. ESL is a center within the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.
The awards were presented to individuals and organizations whose actions or programs were exemplary in contributing to clean air and a more sustainable environment through energy efficiency and renewable energy actions or programs.
The categories and honorees selected for recognition this year were:
Outstanding Individual
- Gary G. Olp
- Principal, GGO Architects
Outstanding Government Official
- The Hon. James "Jim" Keffer
- Texas State Representative, District 60
Outstanding Government Organization - Educational Institution
- Alamo Community College District
Outstanding Government Organization - State Agency
- Texas Workforce Commission
Outstanding Government Organization - Local Government
- City of San Antonio
Outstanding Commercial Enterprise
- Dell Inc. "Legacy of Good" Plan
Renewable Energy Leadership Award
- William "Bill" Sinkin,
The awards ceremony was held during the Clean Air Through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) Conference on Dec. 18, at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk.
The awards were presented by Dr. David Claridge, Director of the Energy Systems Laboratory, and Pam Losefsky, Executive Director of the Central Texas-Balcones Chapter of the USGBC. Gary Olp was presented his award to start the program. The award to Representative Keffer was accepted on his behalf by Bernice Espinosa, Committee Clerk for the Energy Resources Committee, which Keffer chairs in the Texas House of Representatives, The award to Alamo Colleges was accepted by John Strybos, Associate Vice Chancellor of Facilities. The award to Texas Workforce Commission was accepted by Jeanette Bradfield,Director of Infrastructure Planning & Budget. The Award to the City of San Antonio was accepted by Philip Gates, Energy Manager in the Office of Sustainability. The award to Dell was accepted by John Pflueger, Principal Environmental Strategist for Dell.
The award to Bill Sinkin, age 100, was accepted by Mr. Sinkin, accompanied by his son Lanny Sinkin, Executive Director of Solar San Antonio, to a standing ovation. The elder Sinkin thanked the crowd for the work they were doing for the environment, and said "Your work is not done."