Kingston Sustainable Energy Organization to Award Local Innovators & Leaders

Published on: 2011/10/12 - in Releases
Switch Sustainable Energy Awards 2011

SWITCH presents the first SWITCH Sustainable Energy Awards at St. Lawrence College in Kingston on Friday, October 21 at 11:30 AM.

Leaders and innovators in sustainable energy will be honoured in five categories:

  • Sustainable Energy Innovation,
  • Community Leadership,
  • Kingston Hydro Conservation,
  • Rural Initiatives, and Urban Initiatives.

The Awards honour businesses, corporations, institutions, organizations, economic development corporations, and individuals who are making a significant commitment and contribution to sustainable energy in the region.

‘We have strong nominees in every category. The competition for the Community Leadership Award will be particularly intense,’ stated Melody Tomkow, Event and Outreach Coordinator at SWITCH.

She added, ‘From the development of the anaerobic biogas digester at Ledgecroft Farms to the extensive work of the Royal Canadian Legion Villa Seniors’ Residence to retrofit their residence and to raise public awareness about energy use, conservation and production, and to the development of the Queen’s University KGH Combined Heat and Power Generator – Demand Response 3, which shaved peak energy usage creating carbon emission reductions equivalent to taking 1400 cars off the road, this region has benefited from the dedication of visionary leaders in the sustainable energy sector. The nominees have all shown inspiring and noteworthy leadership in the areas of research and  innovation and exemplified the SWITCH spirit of collaboration in effecting community uptake of sustainable energy, electricity conservation, and the development of new technology or new uses for existing technology.’

This year’s nominees include:

  • Canada Lafarge (for their Cement 2020 initiative);
  • Hearthmakers Energy Co-op;
  • Ted Hsu, M.P.;
  • Ledgecroft Farms;
  • Limestone District School Board;
  • the Royal Canadian Legion Villa Seniors’ Residence;
  • Queen’s University Solar Design Team;
  • St. Lawrence College;
  • and the founding group of SWITCH: Peter Tobias, Tom Harris, Chris Whitaker and Sandra Watts.

The recipients will be honoured during the SWITCH Sustainable Energy Awards Harvest Luncheon presented in partnership with St. Lawrence College. The harvest table in Davies Hall at St. Lawrence College will feature local food and showcase the skills of the Centre for Culinary Arts at the College. The Centre for Culinary Arts is well known for the exquisite meals the students create at the College’s teaching restaurant Essence.

SWITCH, a sustainable energy association, brings together urban and rural businesses, researchers and innovators, educational institutions, students and other community-minded people, working to position the region as a leading centre for sustainable energy.

For information and to purchase tickets: http://switchkingston.ca/

Tickets for the Luncheon are $35 for SWITCH members and $40 for non-members.   Tickets sales close October 14th at 2 PM.