NCLCV also took the opportunity to thank several legislators who will not be returning to the General Assembly for their service on behalf of the environment with “The Joe” award, named for the environmental legacy of former Speaker Joe Hackney.
Senator Ellie Kinnaird, a 2009 Green Tie recipient, was a tireless advocate on an extensive range of environmental issues throughout her 16 years of legislative service. She consistently engaged with environmental advocates to ensure they had a voice throughout the legislative process.
Representative Joe Tolson spent nine terms in the House supporting environmental issues. He was a leader on clean energy throughout his career and a long-serving member of the Energy Policy Council.
Senator Dan Clodfelter was a dedicated advocate for the environment for 16 years in the legislature and will carry this forward as Mayor of Charlotte. His analysis of environmental regulations, and his ability to reveal the unintended consequences of legislation, made him an effective leader on conservation issues.
NCLCV also honored the legacy of Senator Martin Nesbitt (1946-2014) who was a powerful and memorable voice for North Carolinians for more than three decades, fighting for the rights of everyday citizens on issues ranging from public health to clean air. He led the charge on the Clean Smokestacks Bill which passed in 2002. This historic legislation forced power plants to clean up their toxic emissions and set the stage for North Carolina’s Attorney General to successfully hold out-state-polluters accountable.