Press Releases

WASHINGTON, DC — Sister Cities International honored three U.S. cities for their outstanding accomplishments in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy at its 53rd Annual Conference, July 29-August 1, 2009 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

With renewable energy technology innovation gaining interest among its local sister cities programs, Sister Cities International, with the support from the U.S. Department of Energy, added the energy category to its annual awards. This category recognizes the achievements of sister city programs and their leaders who have championed cooperation on energy issues and projects at the municipal level.

"Our new energy award showcases three exemplar sister cities programs who are on the forefront of public-private partnership in energy technology," said Patrick Madden, President and CEO of Sister Cities International. "These are Sister Cities programs that are blazing trails."

The winners for this year's Innovation: Sustainable Development--Energy award are as follows:

• Duluth Sister Cities, Population Less Than 100,000: Duluth and Vaxjo, Sweden collaborated to promote clean energy technology, reducing energy consumption, and exploring possibilities for green commerce in Duluth.
• The City of Boulder, Population 100,000-500,000: The citizens of Boulder raised over $900,000 for the construction of a cyber café in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. To ensure the café's sustainability, a Boulder-based solar energy solution company donated and installed solar electric and hot water systems.
• Chicago Sister Cities International, Population Greater Than 500,000. University, business, and civic leaders from Chicago and Shanghai, China collaborated for a progressive sustainable energy project using geothermal and fuel cell technology. The technologies will provide energy efficient heat and electricity for a portion of a large-scale redevelopment on the south lakefront in Chicago.

Each program received a Sister Cities International commendation during the Lou Wozar Annual Awards Ceremony at the Sister Cities International Annual Conference on July 31, 2009 in Belfast, Northern Ireland, along with a $1000 cash award. The Annual Awards Program was established in 1962 to recognize outstanding sister city programs. Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of judges for achievements made in 2008.

MEDIA CONTACT: Frances Reimers, 202.347.8630 x8251 or freimers@sister-cities.org

Sister Cities International promotes peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation by focusing exchanges and public programs on sustainable and economic development, youth and education, arts and culture, and humanitarian assistance. More information about Sister Cities International can be found at www.sister-cities.org.