Green Washington 2011: Nonprofit

Winner: Northwest Energy Angels
First investment group in North America focusing exclusively on the cleantech industry.

GREEN ACTIONS Since its founding in 2006, Northwest Energy Angels has invested more than $4.25 million in 26 young companies working in renewable energy, biofuels, energy storage, clean transportation, green building, waste reduction and sustainable agriculture. These businesses all provide goods or services that directly reduce the carbon footprint of their customers and move society toward a sustainable economy.

RESULTS So many examples, so little space. One of the companies Northwest Energy Angels has invested in is EnerG2, which focuses exclusively on the development and production of advanced carbons for energy storage devices. Its first product is an advanced carbon that can be used in the batteries of electric vehicles, enabling them to go farther and faster with smaller batteries. This innovation is expected to accelerate market acceptance of electric vehicles, which will in turn lessen greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the United States dependence on foreign oil.

Runner Up:
Pacific Northwest Pollution Prevention Resource Center
Consults with businesses and agencies to make their operations more sustainable.

GREEN ACTIONS PPRC is part of several federal and state networks geared toward helping businesses green their operations. It recently participated in a national effort to quantify the outcomes of pollution prevention programs. PPRC efforts range in scale from training painters to optimize their material use to improving the environmental efficiency of health care facilities.

RESULTS These various projects together have reduced the release of millions of pounds of solid waste, hazardous materials and air emissions. The gallons of water and kilowatt hours of electricity saved number in the trillions.