The Business Network for Offshore Wind's President and CEO Liz Burdock will be honored November 5, at the North American Marine Environmental Protection Association's (NAMEPA) 12^th annual conference. Burdock will receive the 2020 Marine Environment Protection award, which honors an individual or organization for innovative and extraordinary efforts to preserving the marine environment. 

"It is an honor to receive this award. The Business Network works tirelessly to create a blue economy that promotes adoption of clean energy globally and encourages proper stewardship of this important natural resource," said Liz Burdock, president and CEO of the Business Network for Offshore Wind. "The wonder of embarking on a new industry like offshore wind energy is that we can establish new industry norms that promote the health of the U.S. economy, it's citizens, and the oceans we rely upon."  

This year, the awards program will be held virtually as part of NAMEPA's annual conference, which will focus on preparing for the future. The first NAMEPA Marine Environment Protection Award was presented posthumously to the founder of the MEPA movement, George P. Livanos who created HELMEPA over 30 years ago because of his concern for the marine environment. Other award recipients include the U.S. Artic Research Council, Port Everglades, and the International Chamber of Shipping and Ocean Voyages Institute. 

"Liz is renowned for her championing of developing wind resources to support the reduction of fossil fuel use and its impact on climate change," said Carleen Lyden Walker, co-founder and executive director of NAMEPA. "This is a sea change for communities and ocean users, which Liz has navigated successfully with positive results."

Past award recipients include Maersk, Euronav, CLIA, Joe Cox, the Port of Los Angeles, International Seaways, the Port of Montreal, the OAS-CIP, American Salvage Association, NOAA, the New York Harbor School among others.

Business Network for Offshore Wind | offshorewindus.org