Schwarzenegger announces winner
of annual environmental award

By Jason Bennert

November 20, 2007

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the 2007 winners of the Governor's Environmental and Economic Leadership Awards including a number of Bay Area companies and organizations.

The awards are presented annually by the California Environmental Protection Agency to companies and non-profits who make "notable, voluntary contributions to conserving California's precious resources, protecting and enhancing our environment, and building public-private partnerships.''

"I'm proud to honor this year's award recipients for their sustained commitment, innovative solutions and strategic investment to protect our environment and boost our economy,'' Schwarzenegger said in a statement. "California's long history of environmental leadership is due in large part to the companies and organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to preserving our natural resources.''

The award winners include San Jose-based Adobe Systems Inc. The company reduced electricity use 37 percent, natural gas use 41 percent, domestic water use 22 percent and landscape irrigation 76 percent at its San Jose headquarters.

AAA of Northern California won for its Great Battery Roundup recycling program, which has collected more than 32,000 toxic car, motorcycle and boat batteries in the last five years keeping thousands of tons of toxic substances out of local landfills.

San Jose-based Sustainable Silicon Valley, a partnership between Silicon Valley companies and local governments, won for its Carbon Dioxide Emissions Reduction Program, which has reduced emissions by 517,000 tons as of 2006.

"SSV is appreciative of this award which recognizes the environmental and economic success already achieved by the public-private collaboration catalyzed by SSV,'' SSV Executive Director Rick Row said.

"There is so much more to do. Our business, government, academic and non governmental partners look forward to other organizations following their lead in joining us to assure that Silicon Valley enjoys a healthy environment, a vibrant economy, and a socially equitable community into the future.''

Other Northern California winners of the award include Monterey County's Chartwell School and the Mendocino Wine Co. Statewide companies Safeway, Kimpton Hotels and the California Dairy Quality Assurance Program also won.

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