The Alliance to Save Energy (Alliance) has announced the 2015 Star of Energy Efficiency award recipients, which reflect a revamped slate of award categories, including the addition of a new award recognizing young professionals and students for their early-career accomplishments in advancing energy efficiency. The awards will be presented at the 23^rd annual Evening with the Stars of Energy Efficiency Awards Dinner on September 17 at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, D.C.  An announcement of the prestigious Chairman’s Award and Charles H. Percy Award for Public Service will be made at a later date.

Alliance President Kateri Callahan lauded the 2015 winners, “This year’s Star of Energy Efficiency award recipients show just how feasible and beneficial it is to achieve greater energy efficiency across a wide range of sectors, and demonstrate that endless resources aren’t a requirement to make a difference. The award winners, which were selected from a large and competitive field of nominations, are testaments to the fact that vision and leadership — coupled with perseverance, innovation and action — are the keys to creating a more energy efficient world.”

Cinemark Theatres is being recognized with the Built Environment award for its environmental sustainability program, Cinemark Reel Green. In the past year, Cinemark’s efforts have saved 41,570,375 kWh and $4.4 million through facility energy efficiency upgrades.

Cinemark Theatres CEO Tim Warner said, “I am honored to accept the Built Environment Award on behalf of Cinemark Theatres. Over the years, Cinemark has been proactive in engaging in energy efficiency projects to ensure that new and existing theatres meet our energy goals. As we continue to be diligent and proactive with our environmental projects, Cinemark’s energy savings will continue to rise as we work toward reducing our environmental footprint.

Danfoss is being honored with the Innovative Star award for transforming the commercial HVAC market with innovative, oil-free variable speed compressors called Turbocor Compressors. The technology provides up to 35 percent energy savings annually compared to an equivalent fixed speed screw chiller.

President and CEO of Danfoss Turbocor Ricardo Schneider said, “I am incredibly proud of the work of our Danfoss Turbocor team as we seek to provide businesses and consumers with superior reliability and performance through our highly efficient technologies. I look forward to helping ensure that Danfoss’ continually innovative work provides an improved level of service while using less energy.”

L’Oreal USA is being honored with the Industry & Manufacturing award for achieving 57 percent CO² reduction and 40 percent water reduction in operations as part of L’Oreal’s global sustainability strategy, Sharing Beauty With All. L’Oreal USA has developed the widespread use of renewable energy in its plants and distribution centers, while instituting energy efficient strategies to reduce energy consumption in all facilities, including implementing LED lighting, motion activated lights and high-efficiency industrial machines, as well as employing water optimization plans.

“L’Oreal USA believes its business strategy and sustainability efforts go hand in hand,” said Frederic Roze, President and CEO of L’Oreal USA.  “Our achievements in energy efficiency are the result of our dedicated employees and facilities, who are committed to finding solutions that minimize our environmental impact while continuing to innovate for our customers.”

Public Service Electric & Gas Company (PSE&G) is being recognized as the Power Generation & Supply award winner for two of its energy efficiency programs. The PSE&G Hospital Efficiency Program and the Residential Multifamily Housing Program provide upfront funding for efficiency upgrades in facilities where the initial cost of a retrofit is often prohibitive.

“No other investment can match the power of energy efficiency to reduce bills for utility customers and improve the environment at the same time,” said PSE&G chairman, president and CEO Ralph Izzo. “Utilities like PSE&G can be instrumental in making energy efficiency as universally available as the safe, reliable electricity and gas that our customers depend on today. We are both inspired by the achievements of the other award winners and proud to be recognized for efforts that are helping our customers save energy and money through improved energy efficiency.”

Aurora Winslade is receiving the Rising Star of Energy Efficiency: Student award for her accomplishments as an undergrad and MBA student and for her work as the Transformational Program Manager at Hawaii Energy, the electric utility rate-payer funded conservation and efficiency program for Hawaii, Honolulu and Maui counties.

“I have worked diligently throughout my educational and professional career to establish energy saving programs in the hopes that they will benefit their respective institutions for years to come. I am grateful to be recognized by the Alliance and look forward to continuing my involvement in the supportive and inspiring efficiency community,” said Aurora Winslade.

Daniel Hill, co-founder and president of Green Impact Campaign (GIC), is the Rising Star of Energy Efficiency: Young Professional award winner. GIC is a non-profit that provides university students across the country with cloud-based tools and training to conduct free energy efficiency assessments for small businesses in their community.

Daniel Hill commented, “The founding of Green Impact Campaign has been a continual learning process, but students’ enthusiasm for supporting their communities through energy saving strategies has been an encouraging constant since its inception. The tool my team and I have developed wouldn’t have been successful without students desire to make a positive change.”