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5 small Businesses of the Year, 11 Climate Leaders cut climate
impact, save money. 

Release #:12-25
Date:06/13/2012

ARB PIO: (916) 322-2990

CONTACT:
Dimitri Stanich
916-322-2825
dstanich@arb.ca.gov

Small businesses lead the way with economically wise and
climate-smart strategies

5 small Businesses of the Year, 11 Climate Leaders cut climate
impact, save money

SACRAMENTO - Today, the Air Resources Board held a ceremony to
present the winners of the CoolCalifornia.org Small Business
Awards, honoring their environmentally sound business strategies
that reduce expenses.

“These small-business leaders from across the state prove that it
only takes a few simple steps to be more sustainable,” said ARB
Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Whether it’s running a hotel or
providing legal services they each demonstrated that making smart
climate-friendly choices is good for the environment and for
their bottom line.”

The 16 award winners were selected from 78 competitive
applicants, representing a variety of business sectors. These
businesses took an array of actions to save money and improve
their operations, facilities and practices while reducing
greenhouse gas emissions. Steps taken include installation of
compact fluorescent lights, solar panels and energy-efficient
computer servers; elimination of toxins and solvents; use of
eco-friendly products; and, adding automated thermostats and
lighting fixtures.

Five businesses received the Business of the Year award for
demonstrating exceptional climate change management practices and
communication.  Eleven were acknowledged with the Climate Leader
award for taking proactive steps to reduce their impact on our
climate and communicating this information to their employees and
customers.

The winners come from 15 California cities across the state and
represent 13 industries, including manufacturing, hotel/lodging,
architecture, property rental, environmental services, legal
services, and recycling.

List of the award winners

Businesses of the Year
Atlas Disposal, Sacramento
Light & Motion Industries, Inc., Monterey
Recon Recycling, LLC, San Diego
Three Squares Inc., Santa Monica
Weston Miles Architects, Morgan Hill
      
Climate Leaders
Aqua-Flo, Goleta
Casa Madrona Hotel and Spa, Sausalito
Cibola Systems Corporation, Orange
CleanFlame, Oroville
Minagar & Associates, Inc., Irvine
Paladin Law Group LLP, Walnut Creek
PizzaSalad, The Organic Choice, Thousand Oaks
Pure Water Bottling Company, Castroville
Sapphos Environmental, Inc., Pasadena
Sun Harbor Marina, San Diego
Virtually Basic LLC, Citrus Heights

The award winners were scored by two-person teams comprised of
staff from public agencies and private businesses.  ARB staff and
leadership further reviewed scores, and conducted site visits and
environmental reviews to arrive at final decisions.

CoolCalifornia.org is an online resource providing all
Californians with the information and tools they need to take
climate action.  The website features money-saving actions,
climate calculators, case studies and links to financial
incentives to help individuals, small businesses, local
government and youth gain the knowledge needed to take simple
steps for a sustainable future.
For more information, visit www.coolcalifornia.org.

ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare,
and ecological resources through effective reduction of air
pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the
economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in
California to attain and maintain health based air quality
standards.

Office of Communications 1001 I Street, Sacramento CA 95814. Ph:
(916) 322-2990