[BOULDER, CO] – The Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP) presented 2019 Leadership in Energy Efficiency Awards to three members of the Colorado legislature and two members of the New Mexico legislature. All five individuals were sponsors of important energy efficiency legislation adopted in their respective state in 2019.

Awards were presented to Colorado State Senator Faith Winter, Representative Meg Froelich, and Representative Cathy Kipp at SWEEP’s annual energy efficiency workshop on Nov. 7^th. The three legislators were the primary sponsors of House Bill 19-1231 which contains energy and water efficiency standards on 15 products, and House Bill 19-1260 which pertains to building energy codes adopted by local governments in the state. The Colorado legislature adopted both bills earlier this year with strong bipartisan support.

“SWEEP is extremely grateful to Representatives Kipp and Froelich and Senator Winter for sponsoring the bills and shepherding them through the legislative process,” said Howard Geller, Executive Director of the Southwest Energy Efficiency Project (SWEEP). “The legislation will help households and businesses save more than a billion dollars while reducing carbon pollution by millions of tons.”

SWEEP is also presenting awards to New Mexico State Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino and Representative Andrea Romero. They were the primary sponsors of Senate Bill 136 which amends the Efficient Use of Energy Act and sets energy savings requirements for electric utility energy efficiency programs through 2030. “The legislation sponsored by Senator Ortiz y Pino and Representative Romero will help New Mexico’s households and businesses save hundreds of millions of dollars, reduce carbon pollution by millions of tons, and facilitate job creation and economic development,” Geller noted.