The Walt Disney World Company's "Strive for Five" energy reduction program has 
been named the winner of the second annual Florida Energy Achievement Award.  The 
award is presented by the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) to a company, 
organization or individual that has made a significant achievement in the 
efficient utilization of energy, energy conservation, energy education or 
renewable energy in the state of Florida.

Jim Fenton, director of FSEC, explained that "Choosing the winner of this years 
competition was especially hard because we had a number of high-quality 
applications from private companies and utilities who are conducting energy-saving 
programs in the state and achieving significant results.  Our committee felt, 
though, that Disney's innovative company-wide program designed to reduce overall 
energy consumption by 5 percent by involving everyone from management to cast 
members stood out because of its wide impact as well as its individual components."

The overall program includes a web-based Utility Report Card distributed monthly 
with data on energy use, including comparisons between individual Disney areas, 
helping foster a spirit of competition among area managers.  Disney also has an 
Energy Star Team with membership from their parks, resorts and support areas 
through the Walt Disney World Resort that meets monthly to share and discuss best 
practices.

"Not only are they meeting their energy-saving goals and getting their employees 
motivated to save energy in their homes," Fenton added, "but they are making this 
program an integral part of their management goals and using creative programs to 
make it successful.  I hope that their work inspires other companies in the state 
to make energy-saving an integral part of their work."

The award was presented in 2005 to Sarasota County Government for its many 
programs that reduce organizational energy use, conserve water, and provide 
support to other agencies and businesses in their community.  Companies interested 
in applying for the 2007 award should visit the FSEC Web site (www.fsec.ucf.edu) 
this fall for full details and an application.

 The Florida Solar Energy Center, a research institute of the University of 
Central Florida, is the largest and most active state-supported energy research 
center in the country.  Current research activities include solar water and pool 
heating, solar electric and distributed generation systems, energy-efficient 
buildings, alternative transportation systems, hydrogen fuel, fuel cells and other 
energy areas.  For more information about the center, visit www.fsec.ucf.edu or 
call the FSEC Public Affairs Office at (321) 638-1015.