The U.S. Green Building Council Central Pennsylvania last week announced the winners of the Forever Green Awards, an annual recognition of companies, individuals and institutions that demonstrate exemplary commitment and achievements in creating a more sustainable future.

The winners were recognized November 4 at the 2016 Forever Green awards ceremony at The State Museum of Pennsylvania.

“USGBC Central Pennsylvania is proud to honor this year’s Forever Green winners for their continued commitment to environmental and human health,” said Heidi Kunka, director of USGBC Central Pennsylvania. “I truly am inspired by the leaders and innovators in our community and their commitment to the USGBC Central Pennsylvania mission. Their work continually raises the bar on what it means to be sustainable and plays a central role in advancing LEED and transforming the way we design, build and operate buildings.”

The 2016 Forever Green Award Winners are:

-- Innovative Project of the Year recognized the Denver Commuter Rail Maintenance Facility, designed by the Camp Hill, Cumberland County, firm Gannett Fleming.The building set a precedent as the first LEED Gold commuter rail maintenance facility in the nation and is a model of best practices in transit maintenance facility design.

-- The Energy Project of the Year to Gannett Fleming for the Shippensburg University Energy Systems Upgrade. The project consisted of the replacement of a more than 60-year-old, coal-fired steam generation plant with an efficient decentralized heating system, as well as a new central chilled water-cooling plant and underground distribution system. A projected 68-percent reduction in the school’s carbon footprint is anticipated as a result of the transition from coal-fired heating to natural gas-fired boilers.

-- The LEED Project of the Year Award was given to Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates for the Pottstown District-Wide Elementary School Revitalization. All four of Pottstown’s elementary schools earned LEED certification as part of this project, with three achieving LEED Gold and one LEED Silver. Using its existing facilities allowed the school district to save more than $10 million. 

-- The Green School of the Year Award recognized Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates for the Middleburg Elementary in Snyder County (photo). Its LEED Gold certification was the result of community involvement and an integrated design process. An Honorable Mention was given to McKissick Associates Architects for the Shikellamy Middle School project, which incorporated cost-neutral sustainable strategies wherever possible, as well as careful site selection and planning.

-- The Historic Preservation Project of the Year was given to Big Spring Spirits for the LEED for Commercial Interiors revitalization of a space in the historically registered Match Factory Building in Bellefonte, Centre County.  The project was nominated by Green Collar Consultants.

-- The Improving the Acceptance of Green Award was given to a Department of Conservation and Natural Resources project, the Patrick J. Solano Environmental Education Center at Frances Slocum State Park in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, for DCNR’s continued efforts in designing and constructing LEED buildings that are used as teaching tools for the general public.  This is the second year in a row this award was given to DCNR.

-- The Corporate Partner of the Year Award was given to Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates to honor remarkable dedication to the chapter and sustainable innovation in our region by one of our annual sponsors.

-- Sustainable Leader of the Year as awarded to Penn State University Office of Physical Plant. The award is given to a company or institution that has demonstrated outstanding commitment to the LEED rating system. At the University Park campus, there are 20 LEED-certified buildings, with 12 more in progress. PSU OPP also boasts the first project to be certified through LEED v4 at any higher education institution in Pennsylvania and the first LEED v4 project in general in the 34-county Central Pennsylvania region.

-- The Greenest Apple Award was given to Nic Auwaerter, sustainability coordinator at F&M College, to recognize a leader whose contributions to the green schools movement stand out. Auwaerter received this award for his undying commitment to Green Apple Day of Service, as well as his everyday efforts to promote sustainability at F&M College.

-- The Volunteer of the Year is bestowed upon individuals for their exemplary leadership and dedication to our organization:

-- Greg Dice, civil designer at K&W Engineers, serves on the USGBC Central Pennsylvania Market Leadership Advisory Board and three committees, as well as serving as an ADVANCE champion in the local community.

-- Shannon Crooker, project manager at Element Environmental Solutions, serves on the USGBC Central Pennsylvania MLAB and the Education and Events Committee.

-- The Legendary Leader Award was given to Anita Snader, environmental sustainability manager at Armstrong Commercial Ceilings to recognize longstanding USGBC Central Pennsylvania volunteers who have invigorated the community with their ideas and electric energy.  Snader has served on the USGBC Central Pennsylvania board for six years and integrates sustainability into all areas of her business. She also served as co-chair of the Armstrong Commercial Ceilings team that led the LEED for Existing Buildings Platinum certification and recertification processes of the campus building in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

-- The Five Years of Service award was given to Todd Buzard, vice president of preconstruction services for Reynolds, for his tenure on the USGBC Central Pennsylvania Board and leadership in the areas of membership and sponsorship.

PA LEED-Certified Buildings

There are currently more than 1,050 LEED-certified buildings in Pennsylvania, equivalent to approximately 120 million square feet. The green building industry also serves as an economic driver in the state.

Between 2015 and 2018, green building construction in Pennsylvania is expected to support nearly 342,000 jobs and $19.49 billion in labor earnings, according to USGBC’s 2015 Green Building Economic Impact Study.

For more information on programs, initiatives and other upcoming events, visit the U.S. Green Building Council Central Pennsylvania website, call 202-706-0836 or send email to: centralpa@usgbc.org.

Related Story:

Central PA Green Building Chapter Names Penn State Sustainable Leader Of The Year

11/14/2016