By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Hays MOKAN Take Charge Challenge Leadership Team has won a competition focused on energy efficiency and sustainability and will receive $10,000 to be used in community projects that support “green” ideas.
The winners were announced today in a news release from Cassi Reimer, program director of Hutchinson-based Climate and Energy Project.
The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge, sponsored by the Climate and Energy Project, engaged Hays, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Kan., and Warrensburg, Mo., in a competition designed to impact energy efficiency through education, engagement and results.
The challenge ran from Aug. 1 through Jan. 31.
Hays won first place with an average score of 2,770 points. Kansas City, Kan., came in a close second place with 2,297 points followed by Warrensburg, Mo., with 1,794 and Hutchinson with 822.
In Hays, Northwestern Printers won first place with a score of 7,570 points and will receive $5,000 from Midwest Energy.
Thomas More Prep-Marian (Admin Building) came in second place with 6,740 points followed by Holy Family Elementary, with 5,740 and Nex-Tech 1 with 4,880.
The MOKAN Take Charge Challenge was a commercial challenge.
Hays had almost 20 participants complete more than 1,000 tasks for the challenge, which saved energy, water and money. The leadership team and participants in Hays held more than 60 events throughout the challenge, which were used to share educational information with nearly 7,000 people.
The Hays Leadership Team gained key support by partnering with Midwest Energy.
Hays participants include: Northwestern Printers, Master Cleaners, Cross Manufacturing Inc, KSU Ag Research Center, Ellis County Coalition, Holy Family Elementary, Thomas More Prep – Admin Building, Thomas More Prep – Nations Hall Dormitory, Thomas More Prep – Marian Hall Girls Dormitory, Hadley Center, Nex-Tech 1, Nex-Tech 2, Midwest Energy, City of Hays Water Softening Plant, Ellis County, Hays Area Chamber of Commerce, Eagle Communications 1, and Eagle Communications 2.
A celebration event to recognize Hays participants will be held Thursday, February 20.
The competition builds on the success of the Kansas Take Charge Challenge, which was created by the Climate + Energy Project in 2009. The Kansas Take Charge Challenge was a residential challenge. Nationwide recognition for the innovative and successful challenge includes the New York Times, Lawrence Berkley Labs and PBS.
Disclosure: Becky Kiser is a member of the MOKAN Take Charge Challenge Hays leadership team.