The Heinz Award, created by Teresa Heinz in 1993 in honor of her late husband, John Heinz, will be awarded to environmental advocate KC Golden this year for his determined efforts toward sustainable climate solutions.
The award ceremony took place Oct. 11, 2012, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Golden will be receiving a prize of $250,000 without use restrictions.
Golden, with over 20 years of energy and climate history in the Northwest public and private sectors, currently reigns as policy director at Climate Solutions, a Northwest research and advocacy organization based in Seattle, Wash. The company researches and brings public and private attention to practical and profitable solutions for global warming.
Golden formerly worked as special assistant to the mayor of Seattle for clean energy and climate initiatives, according to Climate Solutions. Additionally, he worked as assistant director at the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development, and he directed Washington State’s Energy Office. Golden was also the executive director at the Northwest Energy Coalition from 1989 to 1995.
Seattle Magazine described him as its “1 Eco-Hero” and listed him as one of Seattle’s “Power 25” most influential people, according to Climate Solutions.
According to the Heinz Award, Golden is worthy of this award not only because of his tireless pursuit of climate solutions, but also because of his “working to understand the needs and priorities of the major players in the national climate debate.”
His work with helping to finalize the national fuel economy standards has been cited as a recent example of his ongoing efforts.
Golden’s regional efforts helped build the Western Climate Initiative and the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. These initiatives help to bring together both public and private interests for sustainable climate solutions that work with shared inclusion that helps drives these climate solution towards success.
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