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World Wind Energy Award 2009 goes to George Smitherman, Energy Minister of Ontario - Environmental Communication Options/Huff Strategy

World Wind Energy Award 2009 goes to George Smitherman, Energy Minister of Ontario

Jun 25th, 2009 4:57 AM

World Wind Energy Award 2009 goes to George Smitherman, Energy Minister of Ontario Toronto/Jeju/Bonn (WWEA/OSEA/GEAA) - The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), Ontario Sustainable Energy Association (OSEA) and its partners in the Green Energy Act Alliance (GEAA) congratulate Hon. George Smitherman on receiving the World Wind Energy Award 2009. On the occasion of the 8th World Wind Energy Conference 2009 on Jeju island, Korea, the Board of the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) has selected the Hon. George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure of Ontario as the recipient of the World Wind Energy Award. The World Wind Energy Award has been given for Minister Smitherman\'s outstanding achievements in making Ontario the leading wind energy jurisdiction in North America. Under his political responsibility and leadership in the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, the Green Energy and Economy Act was initiated and adopted as a decisive step in establishing a strong domestic wind and renewable energy industry in Ontario. The adoption comes less than one year after giving his first public speech in Kingston as newly appointed Energy Minister during the WWEC2008 hosted by the OSEA, St. Lawrence College and WWEA. The act will contribute to making the province a green leader in North America and worldwide supporting the Ontario government\'s goal to become a leader in innovation and to create at least 50\'000 well paid, skilled green-collar jobs. Franz Alt, world famous journalist and author on renewable energy presented the award stating that, \"WWEA sees the creation and implementation of the Green Energy and Economy Act as an excellent example of how North America can introduce wind energy on a broad basis and on a large scale. A fixed feed-in tariff guaranteed for a fixed period of time has already helped especially several European countries such as Denmark, Germany and Spain to boost their national wind industry. Ontario is the first province in North America which has set up regulations that are following these successful principles, and it can already been watched that other provinces and US states are planning to follow this great example.\" Kristopher Stevens, OSEA\'s Executive Director and a founding member of the GEAA attended the award ceremony, \"It is a proud day to be an Ontarian. Minister Smitherman and the team of people working behind the scenes with him have truly set a precedent for North America enabling every citizen to become not only a consumers but generators of clean renewable energy. With the right leadership and the support of community anything is possible. The award is well deserved!\" WWEA, OSEA and the GEAA hope and expect that the World Wind Energy Award 2009 will encourage the Government of Ontario to continue pursuing its goal to become North America\'s leader in innovation and renewable energy development. The worldwide renewable energy community hopes that other governments in the region and worldwide feel encouraged by the progress in Ontario and will set up similar frameworks, learning from the vast experiences already made. For Further information please contact: Kristopher Stevens - Executive Director - Ontario Sustainable Energy Association Tel: +82-10-4181-8885 (Kristopher Stevens - Korea until June 28th) Tel: +1-416-977-4441 x222 (Jane Story - OSEA head office) www.ontario-sea.org Stefan Gsänger - Secretary General - World Wind Energy Association Tel. +49-228-369 40-80 Fax +49-228-369 40-84 www.WWindEA.org For the official release and presentation regarding the World Wind Energy Award 2009 presentation to the Hon. George Smitherman please visit the World Wind Energy Association at http://www.wwindea.org.