NEW YORK, June 1 /PRNewswire/ --

Platts, a leading energy information provider and a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is currently seeking nominations for the 11th annual Platts Global Energy Awards, which recognize excellence of companies and individuals in the global energy industry. Eighteen performance categories will be recognized. All nominations must be received by September 12, 2009 to be considered.

Established in 1999, the Platts Global Energy Awards has become the most recognized awards program in the industry drawing on average more than 200 nominations and 500 attendees. The 2009 Awards, in particular, will seek to recognize corporate leaders and companies that are successfully coping with the difficult economic environment as they continue to address the domestic and global challenges of sustainable and green energy, efficiency and innovation.

New or updated categories for 2009 include Green Energy Initiative of the Year, Energy Efficiency Program of the Year, Deal of the Year, Infrastructure Project of the Year and Energy Producer of the Year.

Returning categories include CEO of the Year, Rising Star Award, Power Company of the Year, Sustainable Technology Innovation of the Year, Marketing Campaign of the Year, Energy Engineering Project of the Year, Community Development Program of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement Award, among others.

Any company doing business in the energy industry is eligible for these awards. Nominations may be submitted by the energy companies themselves, from clients, from vendors, and other associates. To submit a nomination, learn more about the award categories, and see a full listing of past winners (http://www.platts.com/GEAWeb/resources/jsp/winners2008.jsp) and photos, visit www.globalenergyawards.com.

Other categories to be awarded include Commercial Technology of the Year, Downstream Operations of the Year, ENR Energy Construction Project of the Year, and Industry Leadership Award. As in the past, judges will select the Energy Company of the Year from the list of finalists in all other categories.

On Thursday, December 3, 2009, Platts, along with seven-time principal sponsor Capgemini, will host the annual black-tie dinner and awards ceremony in New York City at the Cipriani Wall Street. Co-sponsor Elster Integrated Solutions and Celebration Sponsor SolArc will be back for the second time.

Platts Global Energy Awards winners in 2008 included PTT CEO Prasert Bunsumpun and GDF Suez CEO Gerard Mestrallet, Edison International, UNION FENOSA, EMFESZ First Hungarian Natural Gas and Energy Trading and Service LLC, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation Enterprise Products Partners L.P., and Royal Dutch Shell, among others.

Find Fast Facts on Platts Global Energy Awards (http://www.platts.com/GEAWeb/resources/jsp/aboutawards.jsp) on the website.

About Platts: Platts, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), is a leading global provider of energy and commodities information. With a century of business experience, Platts serves customers across more than 150 countries. An independent provider, Platts serves the oil, natural gas, electricity, emissions, nuclear power, coal, petrochemical, shipping, and metals markets from 17 offices worldwide. Platts' real-time news, pricing, analytical services and conferences help markets operate with transparency and efficiency. Traders, risk managers, analysts, and industry leaders depend upon Platts to help them make better trading and investment decisions. Additional information is available at http://www.platts.com. Information on McGraw-Hill is available at www.mcgraw-hill.com.

Kathleen Tanzy, +1-212-904-2860, Kathleen_tanzy@platts.com; Europe: Shiona Ramage, +44-207-1766153, Shiona_ramage@platts.com; Asia: Casey Yew, +65-653-06552, Casey_yew@platts.com