Heinz professor of environmental policy John P. Holdren was awarded $250,000 yesterday for his work in nuclear nonproliferation and global energy conservation.

Each year, Heinz awards are given to five people who have made significant social contributions in the areas of the arts, humanities, technology and public policy.

The award was established in 1993 to commemorate U.S. Senator John Heinz, who Professor Holdren worked with during a stay at Berkeley working on energy and environmental issues.

"It is a great honor to receive the recognition, but particularly so because the Heinz name is attached to it. It was doubly nice for me because I'm a great admirer of the late John Heinz, for whom the award is named, and Teresa Heinz, who will give out the award," he said. Noting that his endowed chair is named after Teresa and John Heinz, he added, "I've been multiply honored by the Heinz."

Holdren began his career as a physicist, and was involved in early research on nuclear fusion. His interest in energy technology eventually led to a lifetime of work on the interface of science and public policy.

According to the award website, Professor Holdren received the Heinz Award "for his prodigious contributions to such complex issues as arms control, sustainable development and global energy resources...Dr. Holdren's contributions to public policy are noteworthy, not simply because of their quality and scope, but also because they span a number of disciplines."

Professor Holdren does not yet have definite plans for the award money. Part of the sum may go to public policy organizations, and the rest to his retirement plan.

Formerly a faculty member at the University of California, Berkeley, Holdren founded the environmental studies program and an energy and resources institute at Berkeley. In 1995, Holdren came to Harvard.