WASHINGTON, D.C. - (June 11, 2001) - Peta Richkus, secretary of the Maryland Department of General Services (DGS), is the winner of the Public Service Energy Leadership Award for her outstanding efforts and achievements in supporting energy efficiency.
The award will be presented tomorrow as part of the 12th Annual Energy Efficiency Forum in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the United States Energy Association and Johnson Controls, Inc. The Energy Leadership Awards are given in four key areas: Governor's, Congressional, Public Service and International.
The Public Service Award recognizes a non-elected current or former government official who has motivated action to address energy efficiency in government operations.
Secretary Richkus, DGS head since January 1999, is charged with leading the implementation of an executive order that sets criteria for building and maintaining environmentally responsible state facilities.
As DGS secretary, Richkus is responsible for more than $700 million in annual contract administration and 5.7 million square feet of state-owned facilities. She also serves as construction adviser to the State Board of Public Works and the Executive Department, chairs the Electricity Deregulation Advocacy Committee and the Maryland Green Building Council.
Prior to joining Maryland state government, Richkus was senior vice president of Buchart-Horn, Inc., a planning, design and management firm.
Other honorees include U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Christie Todd Whitman, U.S. Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-New Mexico), Joseph Ting, senior mechanical engineer for the New York State Dormitory Authority, and P.J. "Jim" Adam, chairman of the World Energy Council Executive Assembly.
Whitman, winner of the Governor's Energy Leadership Award, is being recognized for her energy efficiency accomplishments as governor of New Jersey.
Bingaman, recently elevated to the chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Natural Resource Committee, is receiving the Congressional Energy Leadership Award. One of the Senate's principal advocates for promoting a sound energy policy, Bingaman was a leader in introducing the Comprehensive and Balanced Energy Policy Act of 2001.
Ting will receive a Public Service Energy Leadership Award for leading energy efficiency initiatives in government operations.
Adam will received the International Award for his encouragement of global energy efficiency. He is chairman emeritus of Black & Veatch Holding Co., Kansas City, Mo., a privately-held engineering and construction firm.
The Energy Efficiency Forum is an annual bipartisan event designed to raise awareness of energy efficiency issues. USEA is composed of approximately 150 public and private energy-related organizations, corporations and government agencies. It represents the United States in the World Energy Council.
Johnson Controls, Inc., is a global market leader in automotive systems and facility management and control. In the automotive market, it is a major supplier of seating and interior systems and batteries. For nonresidential facilities, Johnson Controls provides building control systems and services, energy management and integrated facility management. Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), founded in 1885, has headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Its sales for 2000 totaled $17.2 billion.
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CONTACT:
Dave Humphrey, Director of External Affairs
DGS Office of External Affairs
410-767-4652
E-MAIL: Dave.Humphrey@dgs.state.md.us
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