Bob King awarded the 2009 Gregg Cooke Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Thursday, October 15, 2009
The organizing committee of the annual Texas Clean Air through Energy Efficiency (CATEE) Conference have named Bob King the winner of the 2009 Gregg Cooke Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership. The 2009 CATEE Awards acknowledge leaders committed to clean air and energy efficiency and/or renewable energy in five different categories. The 2009 categories and awardees are:
Gregg Cooke Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership
Robert King, President of Good Company Associates
Outstanding Government Organization
City of El Paso - City Wide Energy Operational Savings Program
Outstanding Government Official
Senator Rodney Ellis
Outstanding Commercial Enterprise
Standard Renewable Energy
Outstanding Non-Profit Organization
Clinton Foundation - Clinton Climate Initiative
Gregg Cooke Award for Excellence in Environmental Leadership
The award King received is named for Gregg Cooke, an environmental lawyer, consultant, and EPA regional administrator who was dedicated to public service and improving Texas air quality. Cooke served as Chief of Staff to the Governor, and as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas. In 1998 President Clinton appointed Cooke as the EPA’s Regional Administrator for Region 6, where he led the implementation and enforcement of federal environmental programs and worked to improve Texas air quality. After leaving office at the EPA in 2003, Cooke practiced environmental law and worked as a consultant on regional smog planning and air quality issues in Texas as an associate of Good Company Associates.
In giving the award to Mr. King, CATEE 2009 Conference Executive Director Betin Bilir Santos cited his leadership in the areas of energy efficiency and renewable energy over the past thirty years.
Bob King, President of Good Company Associates, has been a leader in energy efficiency and renewable energy since 1972. During his career, King served as the first director of renewable energy programs for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and as an energy policy advisor to the Chairman of the Texas Railroad Commission, the Lt. Governor of Texas, and to the Governor of Texas. He created and directed an Office of Natural Resources for the Texas Agriculture Commissioner. He was also an advisor to the Governor of California, serving as the director of the Governor’s SolarCal Council, and the Local Government Commission on Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy.
King was the founder of the Texas Solar Energy Society in 1977, the Texas Renewable Energy Industry Association in 1983, the California Wind Energy Association in 1982, and the Agricultural Gas Users Association in 1985. He was Chairman of the CalSEAL (Solar Energy Assurance Labeling) program in 1983. King was a member of the Texas Governor’s Sustainable Energy Development Commission and the State Energy Conservation Office Advisory Committee. Good Company was once the coordinating contractor for the Texas LoanSTAR energy efficiency loan program statewide.
In accepting the award from CATEE, King said, “I’m touched, particularly because Gregg and I were good friends, and he was working with us on environmental issues at the time of his death. I miss him terribly. He was a tremendous champion for efficiency and the environment. I thank the members of the CATEE conference steering committee for this honor, and warn you that this will only encourage me to continue.”