California Air Resources Board

SACRAMENTO - The Air Resources Board is accepting applications now through Nov. 3 for its fifth CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards Program, which recognizes small businesses that integrate environmental stewardship and sustainability into their business practices.

California small businesses eligible to compete for a CoolCalifornia Small Business Award are those that demonstrate climate leadership by reducing energy use, conserving water and minimizing their greenhouse gas emissions.

“This is an opportunity to recognize the many small businesses across the state that are taking actions to save money while reducing their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions,” ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols said. “These small business leaders are demonstrating that making smart climate-friendly choices is good for the environment and for their bottom line.”

Small businesses that meet the requirements can apply online for an award between Sept. 2, 2014, and Nov. 3, 2014. Click here to access the application. Winners will be recognized by ARB at a public ceremony in Sacramento in February 2015, and will be profiled on the CoolCalifornia.org website and in a statewide press release.

Awards will be given to small businesses in two categories:

• CoolCalifornia Small Business of the Year Award: Awarded to small businesses that have taken significant actions in 2013-2014 to reduce their climate impacts, demonstrated measurable greenhouse gas reductions and documented benefits from the actions they have taken (e.g., cost savings, return on investment, etc.) by using tools such as the CoolCalifornia small business carbon calculator.

• CoolCalifornia Climate Leader Award: Awarded to small businesses that were proactive in reducing their environmental impacts and can describe in detail the specific actions taken in 2013-2014 to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Last year ARB recognized 13 small businesses that took a variety of actions to save money while reducing their environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions. These included installing light emitting diode (LED) lights and energy efficient equipment or solar panels; supporting carpooling, bicycling and alternative fuel vehicles; composting and growing fruits and vegetables to serve on-site to their guests; using recycled/reused/repurposed products and materials; and digitizing all paperwork and patient records.

For information on past winners, click here.