Clean Energy Champions
Each year, CEEM chooses an outstanding clean energy champion from the Minnesota Legislature to receive our Clean Energy Legislative Champion award. These legislators went above and beyond fighting for clean energy at the Capitol.
Senator Dave Senjem
Distinguished Leadership Award
Senator Senjem, a Rochester Republican, is well-known for his desire to build an “energy alley” similar to Minnesota’s status as a medical device innovation center. Senjem retired from the Senate this year after serving 20 years. He was recently elected to serve as an Olmsted County Commissioner. His legacy will include being a strong advocate in the Senate Republican Caucus for clean energy policies and the economic development that comes with the clean energy transition.
Representative Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka)
CEEM presented its 2022 Clean Energy Legislative Champion Award to Representative Acomb for her chief authorship of HF 3320, a refundable clean energy tax credit bill during the 2022 legislative session and her leadership of the Minnesota House Climate Action Caucus.
Senator Jason Rarick (R-Pine City) & Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL-Coon Rapids)
CEEM presented its 2021 Clean Energy Legislative Champion Award to Senator Jason Rarick and Representative Zack Stephenson for their chief authorship and commitment to pass the Energy Conservation and Optimization Act (ECO Act) during the 2021 Legislative Session.
Senator Dave Senjem (R-Rochester)
Senator Senjem was honored in an online ceremony for his strong leadership and efforts to build a clean energy future. Sen. Senjem was also selected for his work to advance the Clean Energy First Bill.
Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) & Representative Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis)
For the first time ever, CEEM awards its Clean Energy Legislative Champion to two legislators who worked tirelessly in their respective chambers to pass Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), which has unlocked millions in clean energy project financing.
Representative Deb Kiel (R-Crookston)
Rep. Deb Kiel was selected to receive our award for her work on bioenergy and advancing a bill to assist Minnesota homeowners in addressing the financial challenges associated with purchasing an advanced biomass heating system.
Senator Jeremy Miller (R-Winona)
Senator Miller was awarded our very first Clean Energy Legislative Champion award for his work to support clean energy jobs and innovation. This included defending and funding the Solar*Rewards program during the 2017 session of the Minnesota Legislature amid a host of budget cuts that would have severely harmed the state’s fast-growing solar market.
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
CEEM works with Minnesota and Midwest regulatory bodies to ensure that clean energy policy is enacted in the best way for our member businesses and all Minnesotans.
CEEM has leveraged its business voice to deliver policy that opened up millions in financing for clean energy projects across the state.
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
We work between the aisle with policymakers to advance energy efficiency and clean energy innovation that diversifies and strengthens Minnesota’s economy.
CEEM works with Minnesota and Midwest regulatory bodies to ensure that clean energy policy is enacted in the best way for our member businesses and all Minnesotans.
CEEM has leveraged its business voice to deliver policy that opened up millions in financing for clean energy projects across the state.
Latest News
March 2023 Legislative Update
Bills continue to fly through the legislative process and committees now have budget targets to begin putting together their omnibus proposals. Federal matching funds passed the House Floor on Thursday…
Minnesota agency retools to ‘meet the moment’ on climate, clean energy
The Minnesota Department of Commerce recently announced several new hires and changes designed to help the state capture federal clean energy funding under the Inflation Reduction Act and 2021 infrastructure…
March 2023
CEEM was thrilled to testify alongside authors Sen. Tou Xiong and Rep. Larry Kraft in support of SF2249/HF2524 as amended, which will support the formalization of Minnesota Energy Alley.