WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE), a national nonprofit organization that unites finance, policy, and technology to accelerate the clean energy transition, has named U.S. Reps. Sean Casten (D-IL) and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) as the recipients of its 2024 Renewable Energy Champion Awards. The awards will be presented this evening at ACORE’s annual Awards Gala at Union Station where House Minority Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) will be providing keynote remarks.

“We are thrilled to recognize two of America’s leading advocates for advancing the deployment of affordable, reliable, and clean power with this year’s Renewable Energy Champion awards,” said ACORE President and CEO Ray Long. “Both Rep. Casten and Rep. Miller-Meeks have spearheaded numerous efforts in Congress and across the country that will help us achieve a 21^st century grid powered by clean energy. We are grateful to have their impactful leadership in the halls of Congress and continued partnership in delivering a clean energy future that leaves no one behind.”

Rep. Casten is one of the most knowledgeable lawmakers in Congress today on the paramount challenges surrounding the energy transition. He has dedicated much of his time in office to providing affordable and reliable energy for Americans and supercharging the nation’s decarbonization efforts. As a member of the former House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, Rep. Casten helped craft bold policy initiatives that formed the foundation of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, and he has been working to ensure the law’s maximum success ever since.

“We have a tremendous opportunity to not only decarbonize our economy, but also to increase Americans’ access to cleaner, cheaper, more reliable energy,” said Rep. Casten. “I’m incredibly proud to work with ACORE to ensure we seize that opportunity and am honored to receive this award.”

Rep. Miller-Meeks has been a key voice in Congress, helping to advance the cause of renewable energy in a bipartisan fashion. She emphasizes the need to prioritize technological innovation, emissions reductions, and local economic development. The Congresswoman serves as the Vice Chair of the Conservative Climate Caucus, and she represented her home state of Iowa at the COP28 conference in Dubai last year. Among the numerous examples of Rep. Miller-Meeks’ critical leadership is her attention to expanding the bulk power grid as a means to unlock new resources, bolster our nation’s security, and deliver low-cost, reliable electricity for Americans.

“I am grateful to Ray Long and ACORE on receiving the Renewable Energy Champion award,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “Iowa has utilized its natural resources generating energy from an array of renewables, including wind, solar, ethanol, biodiesel, compressed renewable natural gas, biomass, manure, and is a net exporter of energy. Iowa slashed its carbon intensity from electricity generation more than any other state between 2000 and 2020 and generates nearly two-thirds of total electricity net generation from renewable sources. I look forward to continuing to advocate for a cleaner, healthier environment utilizing the wide range of energy options available right here in the United States.”

Photos from tonight’s ACORE Awards Gala will be made available upon request.

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About ACORE:
For over 20 years, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has been the nation’s leading voice on the issues most essential to renewable energy expansion. ACORE unites finance, policy, and technology to accelerate the transition to a renewable energy economy. For more information, please visit www.acore.org.

Media Contacts:
Alex Hobson
Sr. Vice President, Communications
American Council on Renewable Energy
hobson@acore.org | 202.830.3592 (o) | 202.594.0706 (c)

Dylan Helms
Associate, Communications
American Council on Renewable Energy
helms@acore.org | 202.935.6491 (o) | 727.290.8804 (c)

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