GREENSBORO — Two Republican lawmakers have been named North Carolina’s “Clean Energy Champions” of 2019.
State Sen. Rick Horner (R-Nash) and State Rep. Larry Strickland (R-Johnston) were honored Nov. 12 at the fifth annual Celebration of Clean Energy Champions Luncheon in Greensboro.
Horner, who represents Nash and Johnston counties in the N.C. Senate, and Strickland, who represents Johnston and Harnett counties in the N.C. House of Representatives, accepted the awards from the event’s sponsoring organizations, Conservatives for Clean Energy (CCE) and Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy.
“Senator Rick Horner and Representative Larry Strickland fought to increase market competition in North Carolina’s monopoly-controlled electricity market,” said Laurie Barnhart, CCE’s North Carolina Director. “Thanks to these two conservative legislators, North Carolina is leading the way toward more energy choice and innovation.”
Before serving in the N.C. General Assembly, Horner’s professional background in agribusiness gave him first-hand knowledge of the economic benefits of clean energy in rural communities. As a senator, Horner has been a strong champion for more energy competition, innovation, and clean energy.
Rep. Strickland was instrumental in helping to defeat a recent legislative proposal that would have allowed Duke Energy to impose multi-year electricity rate increases on consumers. Strickland is known as a strong supporter of agriculture, and has been a vocal advocate for farmers adding solar farms as reliable revenue streams on their property.
