Clean Energy Champions

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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 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.