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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball Attendees to Include Environmental Groups, New Administration Officials, Celebrities and Members of Congress

Washington, DC, January 15, 2009:  President-elect Obama’s nominee for Administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lisa Jackson, and new Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality, Nancy Sutley, will be among the participants representing a wide range of environmental and clean energy interests at the Environmental Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009.  This black-tie event, which is the sixth consecutive Inaugural Ball focusing on these important issues, will be held at the Sequoia Restaurant complex in Georgetown (3000 K Street) on January 20, 2009 from 8:00 pm until 12:00 am.

Among the sponsoring partners of the Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball is Green Advantage, an organization that certifies individual building practitioners in green building practices in both commercial and residential arenas.  “Tonight the people of the US and around the world join in celebrating the Obama Administration’s foundational commitment to achieving environmental sustainability,” says Green Advantage President and CEO, Grady O’Rear.  He and many of the leadership of Green Advantage will be in attendance, as will former Congresswoman and Green Advantage Advisory Board Member, Claudine Schneider.

Because of the audience of the environmental and clean energy communities it has become a “must stop” for Congressional, Administration, industry officials, and occasionally celebrities.  It will also be a fun event, according to ball organizers.  A “green screen” photo booth will provide photos for attendees with various Washington backdrops like the capitol, the monuments, and an image of the President. The entire event will be filmed and roving reporters will be conducting interviews with attendees for inclusion in a future video.  A YouTube webstream is being set up for broadcast around the world. The American Eagle Foundation’s famous bald eagle, Challenger, seen at the Super Bowl and other national events will be there.  

The broad appeal of the ball includes an Honorary Committee comprised of members of Congress.  Major environmental leaders in the House and Senate are on the Honorary Committee such as Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee;  Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee; Ed Markey (D-MA), Chair of the new House  Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment; Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Zach Wamp (R-TN), Co-Chairs of the House Renewable Energy Caucus; Senator Mark Udall, (D-CO), immediate past Chair of the Renewable Energy Caucus, and many others.  Former EPA Administrator Carol Browner, who will serve as a special advisor to the President on Energy and Environmental Issues, has been invited, as have numerous cabinet nominees.  Former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly and several past and current EPA officials will be on hand.  Actresses Glenn Close and Daryl Hannah will be among the celebrities attending. And live music from The Main Event, a big band style orchestra, will be on hand for entertainment.

The Organizing Committee for the Environmental Inaugural Ball consists of many dedicated individuals who have worked to improve the environment throughout the past several decades.  In addition to the Co-chairs, organizers of the ball include William Holmberg of the Biomass Coordinating Council, Scott Sklar of the Stella Group, Carol Werner of the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, Burl Haigwood of the Clean Fuels Foundation, and John Topping of the Climate Institute.

More information about the Environmental and Clean Energy Inaugural Ball can be found at www.environmentalball.org.

About Green Advantage:

Green Advantage® is an environmental certification for building-related practitioners - primarily contractors, subcontractors and trades people. Certified individuals have successfully passed the Green Advantage® Certification Exam demonstrating knowledge of current green building principles, materials, and techniques. Commercial, Residential, and Commercial/Residential Certifications are available, with a specific exam required for each. Because the green building field is rapidly changing, candidates must pass a Re-certification Exam every three years in order to remain Green Advantage Certified. You can learn more about Green Advantage by visiting the website at www.greenadvantage.org.

Contact:

Dave Foster

Green Advantage, Inc.

326 Park Avenue

Frederick, Maryland, 21701

Phone:    323.387.0404

Email:  dfoster@greenadvantage.org

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