Eco-Stars Receive More Than 5,000 Votes

Public voting opened last week for America’s Next Eco-Star, a nationwide search for the standout among our country’s next generation of energy leaders, and already more than 5,000 unique voters have cast their ballots for who they think deserves the ultimate title. 

Nominees range from an eco-conscious rapper who goes by the name of “Mr. Eco” to a high school student who co-founded with her classmate an educational energy nonprofit, SmartPowerEd. The diversity of ages, interests and locations across the country is a sure sign that this nation’s energy future is in good hands.

The current standing of nominees who have received the highest votes is frequently updated on the competition’s Facebook page, so be sure to see where your favorite nominee ranks and encourage others to vote before the February 24th deadline.

America’s Next Eco-Star taps into the resources of high schools, universities and colleges across the country that are promoting innovative clean energy and energy efficiency initiatives. SmartPower, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting clean, renewable energy and energy efficiency, partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy to recognize the young leaders that have played an exceptional role in creating a sustainable future.

“Young people – particularly those on college campuses – are leading the way on clean energy and energy efficiency technology and education,” said Brian F. Keane, President of SmartPower. “Through America’s Next Eco-Star, we hope to reward campus leaders and encourage others to begin implementing smarter energy policies. And, by the accomplishments of our incredible slate of nominees, it will be hard to crown just one Eco-Star!”

Nominations were open to any individual between the ages of 16 and 26 who has demonstrated a commitment to clean energy and energy efficiency. Now that nominations are in, the public will vote and the top 10 Eco-Stars will move to the next phase of the competition. From there, SmartPower’s staff of energy experts will determine the top five. Finally, a guest panel of judges, including representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy, will determine the winner, who will be crowned America’s Next Eco-Star.

The winner will receive:

• An all-expenses-paid trip to the summer 2012 Sustainable Futures Academy at the Salzburg Global Seminar in Austria
• A fellowship in the Washington, D.C., office of SmartPower 

 The winning contestant’s college or university will receive:  

• A $1,000 grant to the school’s sustainability office 
• An invitation for the school’s president to join a select group of sustainability experts at the 2012 Sustainable Futures Academy at the Salzburg Global Seminar 
• National recognition as the home of America’s Next-Eco Star and a leader in campus sustainability 

The deadline for votes is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2012. The top 10 will be announced on Wednesday, February 29 and the top 5 will be announced on Friday, March 2. The ultimate winner will be announced on Friday, March 16, 2012. For more information, visit www.americasnextecostar.com.