WASHINGTON, DC – Climate Action Campaign (CAC) announced that Representatives Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-AL) and Summer Lee (PA-12) are among the five recipients of the second annual Climate Change-Maker award, granted to Members of Congress for their leadership on climate and clean energy over the past year, including championing efforts to advance federal action to cut climate pollution and defending climate progress in the face of persistent opposition in Congress.
Representative Blunt Rochester is recognized as a leader among her colleagues, calling for bold federal action to slash harmful climate pollution and advance environmental justice. She led her colleagues in calling on the EPA and the administration to set strong, science-based standards to safeguard against dangerous soot pollution, improve air quality, and protect public health, and she is a key voice on the House Energy & Commerce Committee.
“I’m humbled and honored to receive the Climate Change-Maker award from the Climate Action Campaign. One of my top priorities since arriving in Congress has been ensuring that my constituents have clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and a planet preserved for generations to come,” said Rep. Blunt Rochester. “Delawareans don’t need to be told about the climate crisis – as the lowest-lying state in the country, we live it every day. That’s why I’ll continue my work to fight the climate crisis, create the clean energy jobs of the future, and preserve the planet for generations to come.”
Representative Summer Lee, whose district encompasses Pittsburgh and the surrounding area, is recognized for being a powerful voice in Congress urging for federal action that cuts climate pollution and advances environmental justice. She has championed investments in improving air quality, energy efficiency, and weatherization benefits for her constituents made available through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. Rep. Lee has also consistently defended critical investments for climate and clean energy against repeated attacks from the fossil fuel industry.
“I ran for office fighting for environmental justice to ensure that communities like where I grew up in Mon Valley had access to clean air and clean water. These historic federal climate investments are reaching local communities and families and will make a better future for all of us,” said Rep. Summer Lee (PA-12). “I’m committed to building on these investments to ensure we tackle the climate crisis, reduce harmful emissions, and pass down a clean, climate-resilient Pennsylvania for future generations.”
CAC presented the awards on behalf of its coalition of major national environment, environmental justice, and public health groups, and dozens of state partners across the country. National organizations sitting on CAC’s steering committee include: Center for American Progress, Earthjustice, Environment America, Environmental Defense Fund, League of Conservation Voters, National Hispanic Medical Association, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, Union of Concerned Scientists, U.S. Climate Action Network, and WE ACT for Environmental Justice.
“We’re thrilled to recognize Representatives Blunt Rochester and Lee and all of the second annual Climate Change-Maker Award winners for their impressive leadership and effective work in Congress to cut pollution fueling the climate crisis and expand clean energy investments,” said Margie Alt, Campaign Director of Climate Action Campaign. “We look forward to continuing to work with them to defend and build on the climate progress we’ve made.”
The prestigious Climate Change-Maker awards program was established by the Climate Action Campaign (CAC), a coalition of major national environment, environmental justice, and public health groups with state and local chapters across the country.
The other three recipients of the 2023 Climate Change-Maker Award include Senator Jacky Rosen (NV), Senator Tammy Baldwin (WI), and Representative Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07).