Johnson Controls Recognizes Students for Green Projects at 2011 North America Energy Efficiency Forum

MILWAUKEE, June 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) today announced the winners of its 10th annual Igniting Creative Energy (ICE) Challenge. ICE is a national competition that encourages kindergarten through 12th grade students to develop creative actions and ideas about energy efficiency.

The 2011 ICE K-12 winners and the national teacher winner were recognized today at the 22nd Annual Energy Efficiency Forum at the National Press Club, where they shared their winning energy ideas with leading policymakers, energy experts and elected officials. Co-sponsored by Johnson Controls and the United States Energy Association, the Energy Efficiency Forum aims to promote an energy efficiency ethic through the presentation of national and worldwide views on energy efficiency and the resulting impact on the environment, national security and economic growth. This year's ICE Challenge winners are:

• Elementary Division – Heather Eberhard, a fifth-grader from Northeast Elementary in New Mexico, created an informative video of a puppet show about reducing, reusing and recycling plastic bottles.
• Middle School Division – Aitan Grossman, an eighth-grader from The Nueva School in California, developed a website (www.KidEarth.us) to showcase an original song that he composed and recorded about global warming called "100 Generations."
• High School Division – Adam Hersko-RonaTas, a freshman from La Jolla High School in California, made a self-narrated, animated video about weatherization.
• Water Category Division – Adrianna Kuzma, a home-schooled sophomore from Indiana, created a self-narrated video about water conservation that includes current water issues, tips to save water and interviews with local government officials.
• Teacher Division – Michael Nelms, a teacher at Sandy Run Middle School in Dresher, Pa., has helped his Upper Dublin School District net three state champions in the ICE program.

"Students today are taking energy efficiency and water conservation into their own hands by advancing their creative ideas for a more sustainable planet," said Clay Nesler, vice president, Global Energy and Sustainability, Johnson Controls Building Efficiency. "The ICE Challenge winners exemplify our future leaders and stewards of the environment. We are proud to recognize these students for their accomplishments and showcase their ideas at the North America Energy Efficiency Forum."

More information about this year's winning entries can be viewed at www.ignitingcreativeenergy.org.

In partnership with Kohler Co., a global leader in kitchen and bath design, technology and water efficiency, this year a special category called "ICE Water" was developed to give focus to the importance of water conservation.  

"Kohler Co. is pleased to be a sponsor of this year's competition. Helping consumers understand how to use water more efficiently in their homes and communities is something we've supported through public outreach efforts such as our website, www.savewateramerica.com," said Rob Zimmerman, manager of engineering, water conservation and sustainability for Kohler Co. "We are excited to see young people think creatively about water issues, and we congratulate all of this year's ICE Water participants."

New Student Scholarship in 2011

To mark the 10th anniversary of the ICE Challenge, Johnson Controls is providing $10,000 to fund a new student scholarship program for higher education studies in energy and the environment. Hersko-RonaTas was named this year's recipient of a $2,500 scholarship at the North America Energy Efficiency Forum. The scholarship program, which is administered by the National Energy Foundation, is designed to support and sustain the environmental impact demonstrated by participants of the ICE Challenge. To be considered for the scholarship, students must be national or state-level winners of the ICE Challenge. Additional details can be found at http://ignitingcreativeenergy.org/scholarship.html.

"This perpetual scholarship will recognize exceptional students who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to energy and the environment," said Dari Scott, vice president, marketing and communications for the National Energy Foundation. "We are pleased to support these extraordinary students in their educational pursuits and encourage other energy stakeholders to do the same."

Encouraging Environmental Stewardship

Since 2002, more than 14,000 students have participated in the ICE Challenge at the state and national levels.

The ICE Challenge is one of many student programs developed by Johnson Controls to encourage environmental stewardship at the K-12 and university level. Other educational initiatives include Campus Green Scene, a multimedia college competition designed to promote more energy efficient, sustainable campuses; Ignite Green, an interactive learning module to test energy savvy and ignite greener living; and Give Five for Greener Living, a microsite that promotes actionable ways to save energy and water at school, home and work. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com/givefivegreen.  

About Johnson Controls

Johnson Controls is a global diversified technology and industrial leader serving customers in more than 150 countries.  Our 142,000 employees create quality products, services and solutions to optimize energy and operational efficiencies of buildings; lead-acid automotive batteries and advanced batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles; and interior systems for automobiles.  Our commitment to sustainability dates back to our roots in 1885, with the invention of the first electric room thermostat.  Through our growth strategies and by increasing market share we are committed to delivering value to shareholders and making our customers successful.  In 2011, Corporate Responsibility Magazine recognized Johnson Controls as the #1 company in its annual "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list.  For additional information, please visit http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/.

SOURCE Johnson Controls, Inc.