SKOKIE, Ill.—Today, the Portland Cement Association (PCA) announces a call for entries for the 2010 Sustainable Leadership Awards. Now in its third year, the Sustainable Leadership Awards program recognizes public officials that employ the use of concrete and cement-based products for sustainable, long-lasting benefits. In administering these awards, PCA helps to educate and inform decision makers and those in the construction industry on how concrete is a vital and versatile part of the greening of America’s infrastructure.

The Awards recognize projects in four categories. The Leadership in Sustainability Policy Award honors public officials who enact policies that promote the concept of sustainable development by advocating for and promoting the use of concrete and cement-based products in their communities. The Homes and Residential Building, Non-Residential Building and Infrastructure awards honor public officials who utilize concrete or cement-based products to achieve sustainable benefits for projects in each of these categories.

PCA began the Sustainable Leadership Awards in 2008 to create awareness around the importance of concrete to our infrastructure and communities. By recognizing public officials across the nation, the Awards serve to heighten state and local decision makers’ understanding of the many ways in which building with concrete creates a long-lasting and positive impact on the community and the surrounding environment.

“As the voice of America’s cement and concrete industry, PCA created the Sustainable Leadership Awards to inform decision makers and their communities about the many benefits of using these products,” said Brian McCarthy, president and CEO of the Portland Cement Association. “The awards honor those who employ the use of concrete and cement-based products for sustainable and long-lasting results.”

To be eligible for consideration, construction and planning activities must have occurred between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2009. The deadline to submit final entries is May 3, 2010. For more information and to access the nomination form, visit www.cement.org/SustainableLeadership

Recipients of the Sustainable Leadership Award can be found in communities, big and small, across the nation. Nominations go through rigorous screenings by a team of industry professionals to identify the most appropriate and innovative projects as recipients of the Award. Past winners have employed sustainable technologies such as; full-depth reclamation with cement; insulated concrete forms wall systems; and pervious concrete among others.

2009 Leadership in Sustainability Policy Award

• Coweta County, Ga.: Wayne Kennedy, County Engineer was recognized for use of full-depth reclamation with cement in road construction.
• Camp Rapid, S.D.: Dale Ludens, Engineering Manager was recognized for use of pervious concrete in parking lot construction.
• Fairfield County, S.C.: James McGraw, Transportation Committee Chairman, was recognized for use of full-depth reclamation with cement in road construction.

2009 Homes and Residential Building Projects Award

• Philadelphia, Pa.: Mayor Michael Nutter was recognized for use of insulated concrete forms in home building.

2009 Non-Residential Building Projects

• Highland, Calif.: The City of Highland was recognized for use of insulated concrete forms in public library construction.

2009 Infrastructure Projects Award

• Queen Anne’s County, Md.: Queen Anne’s County Board of County Commissioners recognized for use of pervious concrete in parking lot construction.

Winners of the 2008 Sustainable Leadership Award can be found in Chicago, Ill.; Lubbock, Texas; Salem, Ore.; Dallas, Texas; Fort Worth, Texas; Leawood, Kan.; Hancock, N.H.; and Glendale, Ariz. To learn more about the Sustainable Leadership Awards, view past winners and download an entry form, please visit www.cement.org/SustainableLeadership.

About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs. More information on PCA programs is available at www.cement.org.