CEEM announces first ever Distinguished Leadership Award to Senator Dave Senjem

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM) presented for the first time, their Distinguished Leadership Award to retiring Senator David Senjem (R-Rochester) on Friday in recognition of his longtime championing of clean energy progress for the state of Minnesota.

“Minnesota is fortunate to have such a committed and passionate legislator in Sen. Senjem who has worked for years to accelerate Minnesota’s clean energy transition,” said CEEM Executive Director Gregg Mast. “I’m grateful for Sen. Senjem’s steadfast commitment to clean energy and share his vision for how the industry can shape our economic future. His longtime leadership will be missed at the capitol.”

Over the course of his nearly two-decade career as the senior senator from Rochester, Sen. Senjem has been a lead voice within the Republican caucus of the Minnesota Senate, working toward a transition to clean, affordable and reliable energy. Sen. Senjem is well-known among the industry for his stated desire to build an “energy alley,” similar to Minnesota’s status as a medical device innovation center. He has also made a total of five exchange trips to Germany to learn from the European nation’s leadership on all things related to clean energy.

Most recently Senjem chaired the Senate Energy and Utilities Committee in the Minnesota Senate. Under his leadership, he helped usher in passage of the ECO Act in 2021, which modernized Minnesota’s most successful energy efficiency policy – the Conservation Improvement Program (CIP). Senjem retired from the Senate this year after serving 20 years. He was recently elected to serve as an Olmsted County Commissioner.

“I’m proud of standing up for Minnesota’s clean energy industry and helping shepherd my caucus toward a clean energy future that strengthens economies and builds jobs across the state. I remain committed to this future and look forward to how Minnesota evolves in this pivotal next decade. I am honored and deeply humbled to receive this award from CEEM,” said Sen. Senjem.

###

About Clean Energy Economy MN (CEEM): CEEM is an industry-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit representing the business case for clean energy in Minnesota. CEEM provides a unified voice for clean energy business across the state. Our mission is to provide educational leadership, collaboration, and policy analysis that accelerates clean energy market growth and smart energy policies.