Princeton University and its ongoing work toward sustainability is being honored with a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award at a ceremony tonight at the New Jersey State Museum.
The Christie Administration will be recognizing environmental, academic, business, science and civic leaders from across the state for their efforts and commitment to protecting and enhancing the state’s environment.
”The Christie Administration is committed to protecting New Jersey’s environment,” said Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin. “Through their dedication to environmental protection, these award winners are setting an example for all of us to follow. We can all learn from them. They are taking actions in their communities to improve our environment.”
Princeton is being recognized in the Clean Air category for its “commitment to sustainability, the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of energy conservation.
”The university is recognized for a number of initiatives, including decisions to install heat recovery technology in its cogeneration plant and a 5.3-megawatt solar collector field on 27 acres in West Windsor Township.
”In addition, the university has completed a six-month audit that evaluated 263 energy projects, of which 170 are slated to move forward; continued the use of aggressive campus design standards for new construction projects; and reduced the number of cars used to commute to campus.”
This is the 13th annual awards ceremony. Normally held in early December, the 2012 awards ceremony was delayed due to recovery from Hurricane Sandy.
The program became known as the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards in 2006. The program is co-sponsored by the DEP and the New Jersey Corporation for Advanced Technology, in partnership with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities.
A panel of judges accepted and reviewed scores of nominations that featured unique or valuable environmental projects and activities.

