NEW YORK, November 30 /PRNewswire/ --
- Duke Energy's Jim Rogers Gets Coveted 'CEO of the Year'
Houston-based NRG Energy, the international power generator, snared two top awards -- "Energy Company of the Year" and the "Industry Leadership Award" -- tonight at the 9th annual Platts Global Energy Awards.
Platts' prestigious "CEO of the Year" award went to Duke Energy's Jim Rogers, known for his advocacy of energy efficiency.
"Congratulations to NRG Energy and to Jim Rogers," said Platts President Victoria Chu Pao. "NRG is a true global pioneer, and the judges were impressed by the company's vision, sense of corporate responsibility and leadership. NRG Energy has transformed itself into a powerhouse -- and was recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the Platts Top 250 awards announced earlier this year."
"Duke Energy's Jim Rogers has been a leader, an innovator and an implementer. The judges honored Rogers as a leading voice and visionary for an entire industry," she said.
Platts, a leading global energy information service, is a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP).
Its annual awards showcase extraordinary accomplishments by energy businesses and individuals worldwide. Finalists and winners are determined by an independent international panel of judges.
This year's "Energy Company of the Year" winner, NRG Energy, less than two decades old, has one of the industry's most diverse portfolios, with a breadth of interests that span geographies, fuel sources and dispatch mechanisms. In addition to its current US$16 billion environmental and efficiency spending plans, the energy provider is the first independent power producer in the United States in decades to apply to build a nuclear power station.
As a leader in demonstrating environmental responsibility, NRG has been spearheading innovative research and development programs, including algae-based CO2 recycling.
Duke Energy CEO James Rogers, winner of this year's "CEO of the Year" award, has been a noted inspirational leader throughout his career. In addition to his role heading the United States' third largest coal burner, Rogers has served as chairman of the Edison Electric Institute, the national association for investor-owned electric companies, and has led the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of businesses and other groups calling for a nationwide limit on CO2 emission. Rogers' outspoken advocacy of energy efficiency and conservation prompted his appointment as co-chair of two pivotal organizations -- the Alliance to Save Energy and the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency. He has also participated in President Clinton's Global Initiative meetings.
More than 500 top executives from more than a dozen countries gathered in New York City for the gala event tonight at Cipriani Wall Street. The evening dinner and ceremony was preceded by the Platts Lecture, in which industry leaders, market analysts, and academic scholars discussed energy sustainability issues against the backdrop of the global debate about climate change. Jim Rogers, together with Gene Sperling, former White House National Economic Advisor and former Director of the National Economic Council, were the key speakers at the event.
The 2007 Platts Global Energy Awards were co-sponsored for the fifth year by Capgemini and for the second year by Bracewell & Giuliani and also included sponsors: Standard & Poor's, Panasonic Computer Solutions Company and Spectra Energy Corporation.
The Global Energy Awards recognize excellence and innovation by companies and executives in more than a dozen sectors within the global energy industry. Platts received more than 200 nominations this year from energy companies around the world.
The winners in each awards category are: Commercial Technology of the Year: Shell Global Solutions B.V./Criterion Catalysts & Technologies Community Development Program of the Year: Attock Refinery Limited Downstream Business of the Year: Valero Energy Corporation Energy Company of the Year: NRG Energy Energy Efficiency Initiative of the Year: Toronto Hydro-Electric System Limited-Peaksaver Program Energy Transporter of the Year: Sovcomflot Energy Engineering Project of the Year: Nexen Inc. ENR Energy Construction Project of the Year: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Green Energy Innovator of the Year: Applied Materials, Inc. Hydrocarbon Producer of the Year: Chesapeake Energy Corporation Industry Leadership Award: NRG Energy Lifetime Achievement Award: Lord Ernest Ronald Oxburgh Marketing Campaign of the Year: E Wie Einfach/E.ON Power Company of the Year: MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company Rising Star Award: AED Oil Limited Risk Management Innovator of the Year: OpenLink Financial CEO of the Year: Duke Energy CEO James Rogers
Next year's Platts Global Energy Awards Gala and events will be held December 3, 2008 in New York City.
About Platts: Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With nearly a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. From 14 offices worldwide, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, emissions, and metals markets. Platts' real time news, pricing, analytical services, and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com.
About The McGraw-Hill Companies: Founded in 1888, The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP) is a leading global information services provider meeting worldwide needs in the financial services, education and business information markets through leading brands such as Standard & Poor's,
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