DES MOINES - Gov. Chet Culver handed out awards Wednesday to 15 Iowa firms and entities that have shown environmental leadership with their practices.

The Governor's Iowa Environmental Excellence Awards go to companies and organizations that that have gone "above and beyond" to protect the environment.

"These award winners have proven that the economy and the environment can go hand in hand, and that the opportunities for our state are only enhanced, not limited, when we consider natural resources in our decisions," Culver said.

A panel of 24 judges considered close to 40 applications for the awards. Culver said the winners are sending a message that smart, green growth will benefit Iowa's economy.

Among the award winners were the following:

• Waste Commission of Scott County, environmental excellence. The commission made many environmental improvements, including a new landfill, compost facility and recycling facility. It also implemented countywide recycling and developed a hazardous materials program. In addition, the commission built an electronic de-manufacturing facility and installed a new methane gas recovery system.
• MidAmerican Energy Co., environmental excellence. The company has invested $2.2 billion in more than 800 wind turbines in Iowa. MidAmerican worked with landowners to minimize the impacts on farming operations and worked to avoid impacting habitats. They also built a wind turbine on the Iowa State Fairgrounds with a visitors' center under construction.
• Buffalo Bill Museum River Pilots' Pier in LeClaire, special recognition in energy efficiency/renewable energy. The museum built an energy efficient structure to house its 19th century steamboat, resulting in significant savings. Large windows provide light, and in the summer, fans and wall louvers provide ventilation.
• Arnold's Body Shop Inc., Davenport, special recognition in air quality. The shop became the first Iowa-based body shop to switch from solvent-based coatings to water-borne base coatings, reducing hazardous materials in paints by more than 91 percent.
• Curries Division of AADG Inc., in Mason City, special recognition in energy efficiency/renewable energy. The company, which manufactures metal doors and frames, worked to reduce the energy used to dry door skins after they are washed. The new system uses "air knives" supplied by a regenerative blower. The company's efforts have reduced energy use, reduced carbon dioxide emissions and natural gas usage as well as saved the company money.
• Muscatine Power and Water, special recognition in waste management. Muscatine Power and Water has been able to give away or sell the products of coal combustion. The products can be used in blasting grit, roofing shingles, cement and concrete manufacturing and on road traction improvement in the winter. A total of 86 percent of the products are used, saving close to 60,000 cubic yards of landfill space every year.
• City of North Liberty, special recognition in water quality. The city, along with FOX Engineering Associates Inc. and Shive-Hattery Inc., developed an innovative wastewater treatment facility that uses Membrane Bioreactor technology. The facility produces effluent that meets the state's current and upcoming water quality standards.
• Holiday Lake Owners' Association Inc., Brooklyn. The lake owners' association formed a water quality committee to address algae growth in the lake. The members encourage the use of phosphate-free lawn chemicals and urge the cleaning of boats to prevent contamination from other lakes. Algae is no longer a problem at the lake.
• Recycling and Reuse Technology Transfer Center, Cedar Falls, special recognition in environmental education. The center started the "Get Your Green On" program at Lincoln Elementary in Cedar Falls, the only one of its kind in Iowa. The program encouraged students to reduce, reuse and recycle and taught them about conservation and natural resources.
• Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids, special recognition in environmental education. The company uses environmental education programs - the Speakers Bureau and Alliant Energy Kids - to stress safety and conservation and to educate on environmental or energy topics.
• Alliant Energy, Cedar Rapids, disaster recovery special project award. After floods ravaged the city in 2008, Alliant offered a 50 percent increase on rebates when flood-affected customers purchased energy efficient equipment. The flood relief program committed more than $300,000 to Iowa agencies to replace appliances in low- and moderate-income homes. Alliant also provided 10,000 compact fluorescent light bulbs to help customers save money on their electric bills.