NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy companies from 23 countries have been selected as finalists for the Platts Global Energy Awards, an annual program recognizing exemplary industry leadership. The 2012 finalists, chosen from nearly 200 nominees from 26 nominating countries, were announced today by program host Platts, a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals and metals information.

Established in 1999 and often described as "the Oscars" of the energy industry, the Platts Global Energy Awards highlight corporate and individual innovation, leadership and superior performance in 19 categories spanning the entire energy complex.

"It's notable that this year's Awards program attracted nominations from twenty six countries, making it truly the most international representation in the program's fourteen-year history," said Larry Neal, president of Platts. "While U.S. companies dominated, nominees and finalists also came from such places as Dominica, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and Malta. We congratulate each of the nominees and finalists and look forward to announcing the winners in November."

Not only were the program's entrants more diverse by geography, but also by industry. In the Energy Efficiency-Commercial End-User category alone, the finalists include a convention center, an engine manufacturer, an aluminum producer, shipping and spice companies, and department and food store chains.

"The list of finalists also shows the broadening of influence well beyond the Western majors, with many non-traditional names among the Commodity Excellence categories in oil and natural gas," said Patsy Wurster, head of the Platts Global Energy Awards program.

From the list of finalists unveiled today, winners will be chosen in each independent Awards category and the 2012 Energy Company of the Year will be selected from the list of finalists in the Vision & Leadership and Commodity Excellence Awards sections. Winners will be determined by the program's independent panel of judges and announced at the 2012 Global Energy Awards black-tie dinner gala on November 29 at the Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. CNBC News Anchor Amanda Drury will return to emcee the gala for a third consecutive year.

The awards dinner will be preceded earlier in the day by an associated event, the November 29 Platts Global Energy Outlook Forum, entitled "Fuel Fight: Environment Meets Economics," which features a keynote speaker and a panel debate and discussions by energy executives, government officials and industry leaders.

Corporate and industry representatives who wish to attend the awards dinner may RSVP at this registration link (http://bit.ly/SgNJ9i). Accredited media may attend by registering at the press registration link (http://bit.ly/PCh37t).

To view the list of 2012 Platts Global Energy Awards finalists (http://bit.ly/QdG3SG) or for more information on the Awards, visit the Platts Global Energy Awards website.

Capgemini, one of the world's foremost providers of consulting, technology and outsourcing services returns for a 10(th) year as principal sponsor of the Platts Global Energy Awards. Elster, one of the world's largest electricity, gas and water measurement and control providers, is a co-sponsor of the event for the 5(th) consecutive year.

Find Fast Facts on Platts Global Energy Awards on the website. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Vicki Peterson at +1 970-461-1090 or vicki_peterson@platts.com. For more information on Platts, visit www.platts.com.

About Platts: Founded in 1909, Platts is a leading global provider of energy, petrochemicals and metals information and a premier source of benchmark prices for the physical and futures markets. Platts' news, pricing, analytics, commentary and conferences help customers make better-informed trading and business decisions and help the markets operate with greater transparency and efficiency. Customers in more than 150 countries benefit from Platts' coverage of the carbon emissions, coal, electricity, oil, natural gas, metals, nuclear power, petrochemical, and shipping markets. A division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), Platts is headquartered in New York with approximately 900 employees in more than 15 offices worldwide. Additional information is available at www.platts.com.

About The McGraw-Hill Companies: McGraw-Hill announced on September 12, 2011, its intention to separate into two companies: McGraw-Hill Financial, a leading provider of content and analytics to global financial markets, and McGraw-Hill Education, a leading education company focused on digital learning and education services worldwide. McGraw-Hill Financial's leading brands include Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, S&P Capital IQ, S&P Dow Jones Indices, Platts energy information services and J.D. Power and Associates. With sales of $6.2 billion in 2011, the Corporation has approximately 23,000 employees across more than 280 offices in 40 countries.

Additional information is available at http://www.mcgraw-hill.com/.

CONTACT:
Kathleen Tanzy
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Kathleen_tanzy@platts.com

SOURCE Platts

SOURCE: Platts