Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 09/01) - Three very different organizations were recognized for their contribution to a more energy efficient North.

Recognition came in the form of the first NWT Energy Action Awards. Given out by the Arctic Energy Alliance, the awards are meant to highlight sterling examples in three categories.

NorthwesTel won the Renewable Technologies Award for its use of solar panels to power remote microwave transmitters. The solar panels, with diesel generators as backups, reduced diesel consumption by two-thirds.

It was a class of grade sixers that did the best job of raising public awareness of the need to change to embrace new ways of using energy.

Bob White's Grade 6 class at Harry Camsell elementary school have raised awareness of climate change in their town through public presentations, a bound report and posters. The class, represented at the awards by student Jillian Groenewegen, monitors the effects of climate change and media coverage of it.

Energy efficiency measures the Yellowknife public school board has taken have reduced its consumption by 339,000 kilowatts per year, a savings of about $63,000 per year.

The board, winners of the first Energy Management Award, achieved the savings by installing energy-efficient lighting, timers, heat pumps and mechanical systems controls in its Yellowknife schools.