Nevada Republican Senator Dean Heller has been named a US wind champion by the American Wind Energy Association.
The awards recognise select members of the 115th US Congress who have taken action in support of the US wind energy industry.
Heller said: “As a strong advocate for wind energy and the renewable energy industry, I am honoured to receive the wind champion award from the American Wind Energy Association.”
He added that Nevada has over 21,800 people employed in renewable energy, with clean power providing 23% of the state’s electricity.
“Our state continues to be at the forefront of national efforts to harness this country’s renewable energy potential, and that’s why I have consistently worked to advance policies – like the production and investment tax credits – that support Nevada’s energy diversification and the jobs and economic growth that come with it.”
AWEA chief executive Tom Kiernan said: “Senator Heller is a longstanding champion of wind power and its economic benefits. The Senator’s work to build bipartisan support around renewable energy has helped unlock the job-creating potential of our industry in rural communities and factory towns across America. We are pleased to recognise Senator Heller as a US wind champion.”