2009 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards

Richmond, VA. — The Secretary of Natural Resources L. Preston Bryant, Jr., announced the 23 winners of the 2009 Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards on April 1, at the Environment Virginia 2009 Symposium in Lexington.

Charlottesville based Better Living Building Supply received a silver medal for their new millshop facility in Fluvanna County. The 24,000 square foot Better Living Building Supply facility, designed by Charlottesville architectural firm, The Gaines Group, PLC, is the first LEED for new construction registered project in Fluvanna County. The facility uses a standard metal building technology typically used in industrial facilities, but with the added innovative technology of a solar wall. The southern wall of the building collects heat from the sun for use inside the facility; the traditional heating and cooling system is used only for supplemental heat. The facility, which has water efficient fixtures, also collects rainwater in an 80,000 gallon storage tank under the parking lot for use in the sprinkler system and for site irrigation. Other features include no or low volatile organic chemical materials inside the building, the use of a large percentage of recycled materials, and the recycling of more than 75% of construction materials.

The awards recognize the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders in three categories: environmental projects, environmental programs and land conservation. They are given to businesses and industrial facilities, not-for-profit organizations, government agencies and individuals.

Award winners were chosen based on criteria including to environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability and innovativeness.

This year's awards were sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Manufacturers Association and Dominion.

Additional information on the Governor's Environmental Excellence Awards is available on the DEQ website at www.deq.virginia.gov/info/geea/2009.