SACRAMENTO - Today the Air Resources Board announced the winners of the fourth CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards, recognizing small businesses that demonstrate leadership and make notable, voluntary achievements toward reducing their carbon footprint.

E & B Auto Repair's Solar-Powered Neighborhood Electric Vehicle

“These small-business leaders from across California prove it only takes a few simple steps to be more sustainable,” said ARB Chairman Mary D. Nichols. “Whether it’s running a boutique hotel or repairing automobiles they each demonstrated that making smart climate-friendly choices is good for the environment and for their bottom line.”

The 13 award winners were selected from competitive applicants, representing a variety of business sectors from across California. These businesses took a number of different actions to save money and improve their business operations while reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts. Some of the steps they took included installing LED lights, solar panels, energy-efficient equipment and occupancy sensor switches; eliminating toxic chemicals and solvents; using eco-friendly, recycled/reused/repurposed products; installing foot pedal scrub stations and low flow shower heads and toilets; and using alternative or renewable energy fueled vehicles and electric bikes.

Conejo Awards Purchases Bulk Refillable Ink Cartridges

Three businesses received the Business of the Year award for demonstrating exceptional climate change management practices and emission reductions, while documenting their cost savings, return on investment and benefits received from taking specific actions. Ten businesses were acknowledged as Climate Leaders for taking proactive steps to reduce their impact on our climate and communicating this information to their employees and customers.

The winners come from 13 California cities across the state and represent different industries including manufacturing, hotel/lodging, event planning, automotive repair, retail, animal healthcare, media and food service/restaurant.The award winners were scored by two-person teams comprised of staff from public agencies and private businesses. ARB staff and leadership further reviewed scores, conducted site visits and performed environmental reviews to select the 2013 winners.
 

2013 CoolCalifornia Small Business Awards

Businesses of the Year:

• El Primero Boutique B&B Hotel, Chula Vista

• E & B Auto Repair, Fort Bragg

• Conejo Awards, Thousand Oaks

Climate Leaders:

• Capitola Veterinary Hospital, Capitola

• Monterey County Weekly, Seaside

• Nortra-Cables, Inc., Milpitas

• Ohana Pet Hospital, Ventura

• Paper Culture, Millbrae

• Quick Mount PV, Walnut Creek

• Sacramento Event Planners, Davis

• The Bath Workshop, Claremont

• The Inn On First, Napa

• The Rising Loafer Cafe and Bakery, Lafayette

El Primero Boutique B&B Hotel Added Two Composting Bins, Vastly Reducing Food Waste

Awards will be presented to the winning businesses at a ceremony from 4 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 12, 2014, at the Cal-EPA Building, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814.

CoolCalifornia.org (http://www.coolcalifornia.org) is an online resource providing all Californians with the information and tools they need to take climate action. The website features money-saving actions, climate calculators, case studies and links to financial incentives to help individuals, small businesses, local government and youth gain the knowledge needed to take simple steps for a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.coolcalifornia.org (http://www.coolcalifornia.org).