Goodwill® Encourages Consumers to Harness the Environmental Power of Reusing Goods

On this 43rd annual Earth Day, the environment has become an increasingly complex world of climate change, carbon offsets and emissions guidelines. While these big-picture issues can often seem far removed from everyday life, Goodwill Industries International encourages consumers to remember the widespread impact the simple act of donating goods can make.

The $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge, a business plan competition supported by the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) encouraging students from universities in the southeastern United Statesto develop business plans for new clean energy companies, today announces its Elite Eight Plus Two, eight winners from ACC schools and two winners from the at-large non-ACC pool of entrants.

The Elite Eight Plus Two will compete first to advance to the Final Four and then for a $100,000 grand prize at the $100K ACC Clean Energy Challenge Finals, held at North Carolina State University on April 9, 2013. The winner also will move on to compete in the DOE National Clean Energy Business Plan Finals in Washington, D.C., in summer 2013.

The Energy Department today recognized a new publicly available database that offers federal, state, and local decision-makers information documenting the results of energy-efficiency programs in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Regional Energy Efficiency Database (REED), a project of Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), provides a one-stop resource to readily access energy efficiency program data, including energy and peak-demand savings, costs, avoided emissions, and job impacts. This is part of the Energy Department's broader effort to improve public access to energy information, empowering consumers, industry, and government agencies to make informed decisions that save money by saving energy.

Apartments first Gold Certified under LEED for Homes Program in Maryland

Groveton Green Apartments was officially awarded LEED Gold Certification from Roger Platt , Senior Vice President of Global Policy & Law from the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC), in an exclusive ceremony on Thursday.  According to the USGBC, Groveton Green is the first multifamily LEED Gold certified project in the LEED for Homes program in all of Maryland.

Roger Platt 's attendance was a direct result of the dedication that Fore Property Company has to its commitment to the USGBC LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program and the environment. "Fore Property Company has established itself as an industry leader in the LEED for Homes multifamily sector by being the first to certify in North Texas and now being the first to certify in Maryland," said Platt. "USGBC appreciates their continued efforts to raise the bar for the future of multi-family development."

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) the Climate Leadership Awardfor its exemplary commitment and dedication to responding to climate change. Lockheed Martin received the award in the Goal Setting Certificate category for publicly reporting and setting aggressive greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

The Climate Leadership Awards program recognizes and encourages corporate, organizational and individual leadership in reducing carbon pollution. The EPA partnered with The Climate Registry, the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, and the Association of Climate Change Officers on a national awards program designed to incentive, recognize and highlight actions that go beyond business as usual in the management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

"We are honored to be recognized with the prestigious Climate Leadership Award, but we know our environmental sustainability work doesn't stop here," said Carol Cala , Lockheed Martin's vice president of Energy, Environment, Safety and Health. "We are dedicated to achieving our Go Green 2020 goals through our commitment to environmental leadership and sustainable operations, as well as our alignment with our key customers' goals."

The award will be presented tonight at the Climate Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C. This event brings together leaders from business, government, academia, and nonprofits to exchange best practices on how to address climate change and run more competitive and sustainable operations.