BOSTON, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Massachusetts' investor-owned electric utility companies -- National Grid, NSTAR, Unitil, and Western Mass Electric Company, successfully completed an energy efficiency pilot program called the Zero Energy Challenge. Five home builders competed to construct super energy-efficient single-family homes and were awarded prizes based on their results totaling $50,000. The awards event was held June 29, 2009 at 1:00pm at the Massachusetts State House with guest speaker Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary, Ian Bowles. "Winners of the Zero Energy Challenge are energy efficiency trail blazers who are helping to build wider awareness and use of cutting edge techniques that result in dramatic home energy savings," Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Ian Bowles said. "The Challenge dovetails with Governor Patrick's overall clean energy goals -- in particular, the Administration's work toward adoption of zero net energy standards for new residential and commercial construction by 2030."
