Boston Properties and First Wind honored with Green Awards

Mayor Thomas Menino named the winners of the fourth annual Mayor's Green Awards, which recognize local business and neighborhood leaders for doing their part to make Boston a greener, more sustainable, and livable city. The 2010 Green Awards were presented by the mayor to 4 residential and 14 business leaders at today's ceremony in the Prudential Center. "These award winners demonstrate the many ways in which individuals and businesses can contribute to making Boston a leading green city," said mayor Menino. The mayor's Green Business Awards recognize extraordinary performance related to sustainable environmental practices. Boston Properties, owner of the Prudential Center and one of the largest property owners and developers in the U.S., was one of the Green Business Award recipients for their continued commitment to sustainability and the host of this year's awards ceremony. "As a business, we recognize the importance of brand value," said Bryan Koop, senior vice president and regional manager of Boston Properties. First Wind, a leading wind energy developer headquartered in Boston, marked the occasion of receiving a 2010 Green Business Award by saying that First Wind will provide a $3,000 scholarship annually to a graduate of Boston Public Schools' John O'Bryant school for a student pursuing a college degree in science, engineering, or related course of study. "As this scholarship demonstrates, First Wind is committed to the city of Boston, which was also a driving factor in our move to Downtown," said Michael Alvarez, president & chief financial officer of First Wind.