Groups announce 2022 North CarolinaClean Energy Champion Awards

News Release

December 1, 2022

GREENSBORO – Retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is among 10 recipients of North Carolina’s 2022 Clean Energy Champion Awards, co-sponsored by Conservatives for Clean Energy North Carolina and Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy.

 Other recipients include a U.S. House member, several state legislators, local chambers of commerce, and companies working to advance clean energy investment, innovation, and opportunity across North Carolina.

“North Carolina has made great strides in providing more clean energy to businesses and consumers,” said Carson Butts, the North Carolina State Director for Conservatives for Clean Energy. “As conservatives, we know that greater market competition and customer choice benefit all of us as electricity ratepayers.”

The eighth annual awards were announced during a luncheon Thursday at Greensboro’s Proximity Hotel, the nation’s first LEED-platinum certified hotel. The event included a clean energy panel discussion led by Mark Fleming, CCE’s founder and chief executive officer, and a political overview presented by Raleigh political strategist Dee Stewart, a consultant to CCE.

“CCE has led the way in educating conservative leaders in North Carolina about the economic benefits and the broad political appeal of our state’s clean energy policies,” Stewart said. “This year’s award winners help make the business, political, and economic-growth cases for more clean energy.”

Ryan Evans, Executive Director of Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, praised the pragmatic leadership of those honored at the event. “Their advocacy, investments, and policy development have turned North Carolina into a clean energy economic powerhouse and a national hub for clean energy innovation and manufacturing,” Evans said.

2022 Clean Energy Champion award winners:

U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-7th District)
For working consistently in a bipartisan way with Republican and Democratic colleagues in Congress to repeal a 10-year moratorium on offshore wind projects and to promote other clean energy initiatives.

State Rep. Ed Goodwin (R-Chowan)
For sponsoring legislation that would direct the N.C. Utilities Commission to study reforms to deliver far greater market competition, customer choice, and ratepayer savings to North Carolinians than our current monopoly-controlled structure allows. Goodwin also has supported solar projects and a wind farm in his district, where they produce much-needed property tax revenue.

State Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan)
For sponsoring important legislation expanding solar panel freedom in homeowner association neighborhoods and promoting electric vehicles.

State Sen. Michael Lazzara (R-Onslow)
For sponsoring legislation to allow commercial property-assessed clean energy, a financing method that allows borrowed capital to pay the upfront costs associated with energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements, repaid over time via a voluntary tax assessment.

Greensboro Chamber of Commerce
For playing a central role in the extensive siting and incentive package development that attracted Toyota Motor Corp. of America to the Greensboro-Randolph megasite, working with the Governor’s Office, state lawmakers, local government, utilities, colleges, and many other partners. Toyota plans to invest more than $3.8 billion to build its first electric vehicle and hybrid battery facility, creating up to 2,100 jobs.

Carteret County Economic Development Department
For demonstrating dynamic leadership in one of the most exciting clean energy opportunities in the state: offshore wind. Carteret County and North Carolina are well-positioned to welcome billions of dollars in investment and thousands of jobs in the offshore wind industry.

New Belgium Brewing
For generating solar power at its Asheville brewery, for committing to carbon-neutrality by 2030, and for supporting robust state clean energy policies, including more electric vehicles and charging stations.

Siemens
For promoting clean energy policies, for its strong clean energy goals, and for employing thousands of North Carolinians in technology jobs.

Clean Energy Rising Star award winner:

Rep. Matthew Winslow (R-Wake)
Rep. Winslow, a homebuilder and former economic developer who was just elected to a second term in the N.C. House, for creating resilient neighborhoods that feature a micro-grid and homes that are pre-wired for rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging in their garages.

Lifetime Achievement award winner:

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr (R)
For his almost three decades of public service in Congress, including his having played a vital role in developing last year’s Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act, a much-needed, bipartisan federal law.

“I hope our award winners’ success stories will inspire all of you,” Fleming, the CEO of Conservatives for Clean Energy, said in concluding the event. “Who knows –you might be one of our 2023 Clean Energy Champions!”

News media contact:

Carson Butts

North Carolina State Director, Conservatives for Clean Energy

carson@cleanenergyconservatives.com

919-818-1854

CCE’s Mark Fleming, right, leads the clean energy panel discussion with
Kevin Huffman of Siemens and Dana Villeneuve of New Belgium Brewing