December 12, 2005

Roger Duncan recognized as one of top leaders in world in efforts to reduce global warming

Austin Energy Deputy General Manager Roger Duncan has been recognized by BusinessWeek Magazine as one of the 20 top leaders of the decade in the effort to reduce gases that cause global warming.

Mr. Duncan joins an international and prestigious group of honorees which includes British Prime Minister Tony Blair , California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and New York Governor George Pataki.

Mr. Duncan, responsible for the development of Austin 's nationally acclaimed energy efficiency and green building programs, was recognized for the green power program he developed at Austin Energy that has been the most successful in the nation. The program, GreenChoice, was begun in 2000. Since inception, it has eliminated some 890,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by using wind-generated power to meet a portion of Austin 's energy needs. In 2005, green power accounted for about 4% of Austin 's energy needs. In 2006, the percentage will increase to better than 6%.

The top 20 "Individual Achievers" were selected by a group of 10 BusinessWeek reporters working closely with a nine-member international panel of independent judges, a leading Wall Street green investment research firm (Innovest Strategic Value Advisors) and with Climate Change, an international non-profit organization founded in 2004 to help focus practical solutions on the issue of global warming.

The news magazine characterized the selection process as a "sometimes heated winnowing process, which helped ensure that each of companies and individuals listed deserves recognition as a leader in greenhouse gas reduction."

"This is an exceptional and well deserved honor for Roger who has been pivotal to both the quality of life emphasis that has been embraced by our community as well as the development of environmental programs in other communities around the country," said Austin Mayor Will Wynn.

Mr. Duncan, who served on the Austin City Council from 1981-1985, joined Austin Energy in 1998 and manages the utility's distributed energy services which includes conservation programs, chilled water and distributed generation programs. He has served on various national committees that advise on federal environmental efforts and this year was appointed by the Secretary of Energy to the Federal Energy Management Advisory Committee.

For more information, contact Ed Clark, Public Information.
Phone: (512) 322-6514
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