Maplewood Township and a statewide organization Township Committee member Fred Profeta helps lead were honored at the Global Renewable Energy Green Summit Expo in Pennsylvania today. Maplewood received a “Greens Award” in the township category and Profeta’s Sustainable Jersey program won the municipality-state initiatives category.

The event, held from April 15 to the 17 in Macungie, PA, is the first time the organizers have held what they plan to be an annual event aiming to promote sustainable practices through networking and education. Speakers include Scott Minos of the United States Department of Energy and Eco Green Hotels founder Scott Parisi. See their Web site for more information.

This is not the first time Maplewood has been recognized for the Township’s commitment to renewable resources and sustainable practices. The nonprofit environmental organization Clean Air-Cool Planet gave Maplewood a Climate Champion of the Year award in 2007, and the township was given an EPA award in 2008 for its environmental programs and achievements.

“For our first awards, we wanted to set the bar high and Sustainable Jersey and Maplewood certainly fit that bill,” event organizer E. Clare Misquitta said in a press statement.  “The 2009 Greens Awards were designed to recognize organizations and individuals that have demonstrated ingenuity, creativity and perseverance in the pursuit of sustainable projects.”

The township’s environmental honors are due in a large part to Profeta, who has long been celebrated for his commitment to the environment. Profeta co-chairs the statewide Mayors' Committee for a Green Future.

 “From Maplewood at the local level to the statewide Sustainable Jersey program, the awards recognize achievement in the on-going pursuit of long-term environmental sustainability–one community at a time,” Profeta said in a press statement.