The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and seven other regional organizations are now accepting nominations for the first-ever Philadelphia Sustainability Awards.

Nominations are due February 23.

The Awards will recognize and celebrate the Philadelphia region’s progress towards becoming the most sustainable city in America - today and for generations to come.

Nominees who have achieved sustainable excellence through innovative environmental practices or creative partnerships are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will be those who solve challenges through solutions that go beyond standard or regulatory techniques, and who demonstrate a measurable impact on the Greater Philadelphia region.

The latest SustainLane survey ranked Philadelphia 8th in the nation, with particularly high scores in the areas of: transportation (tied for #2 in overall mobility), local food and agriculture (#3), and energy and climate change policy (#5).

“The Philadelphia Sustainability Awards is an opportunity to celebrate and honor our region’s sustainability frontrunners, and to give them deserved recognition for their innovations, honor their leaders and challenge others to do better,” said Patrick Starr, Vice President of PEC.

Submissions will be judged by an accomplished panel of jurors, each with intimate knowledge of the Philadelphia region and/or sustainability issues. Jurors will select finalists in early March and will select winners by early April. The winners will be announced at the sustainable event of the year – a “green carpet” reception on April 26.

Coordinating organizations include PEC, City of Philadelphia, Delaware Valley Green Building Council, PennFuture, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, The Reinvestment Fund, Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, and American Institute of Architects.

Go online to download an Award Nomination Packet. Contact Spencer Finch (x105) or Jessica Anderson (x101) at 215-592-7020 if you have any questions.

1/26/2007