CONCORD - Gov. Lynch has awarded the first Excellence in Energy Efficiency Awards to two state agencies and one state representative.

Awards were presented to the Department of Transportation Bureau of Turnpikes, the Christa McAuliffe Planetarium, and State Rep. Suzanne Harvey of Nashua by the Governor's Office and state Energy Manager during the annual meeting for state agency Energy Coordinators and Teams.

"I am pleased to recognize these agencies and Representative Harvey for their efforts to make state government more energy efficient. Reducing state government's energy use will help reduce the costs of state government and reduce the pollution that threatens the health of our citizens and the health of our environment," Gov. Lynch said.

In 2005, the Governor Lynch issued an Executive Order directing all state agencies to lead by example by reducing their energy use, buying energy-efficient appliances, purchasing more energy-energy vehicles, and by exceeding the state energy code by 20 percent when building or renovating facilities.

The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Turnpikes received an award for cutting energy use in toll facilities by over 35 percent through the installation of energy-efficient boilers, and significant lighting improvements. The Christa McAuliffe Planetarium has reduced its energy use by 34 percent through significant lighting upgrades and the replacement of the theater projection system with an improved system that uses much less energy. Representative Harvey was recognized for initiating the change-out of inefficient lighting at the State House to energy efficient bulbs.

For more information, contact Gary O'Connell at 271-2698 or Gary.OConnell@nh.gov.