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.

2023

Senator Nick Frentz (DFL-North Mankato)

Senator Nick Frentz and Gregg Mast, CEEM

Senator Nick Frentz was chosen for his outstanding leadership during the 2023 session. Some of his achievements included Chief Author of the 100% by 2040 bill, Chief Author of the State Competitiveness Fund, Co-author of Minnesota Energy Alley and he served as Assistant Majority Leader and Chaired the Senate Energy Committee.

2022

Senator Dave Senjem

Gregg Mast, Senator David Senjem, George Damian

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.

2022

Representative Patty Acomb (DFL-Minnetonka)

Gregg Mast, Representative Acomb, George Damian presenting award

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.

2021

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.

2020

Senator Dave Senjem (R-Rochester)

senator dave senjem with clean energy award

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.

2019

Senator Eric Pratt (R-Prior Lake) & Representative Jamie Long (DFL-Minneapolis)

ceem's 2019 legislative champion senator pratt

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.

2018

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.

2017

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.

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