U.S. Senator Richard Lugar has received the inaugural Statesman Award from the Hoosier Environmental Council.

Lugar received the organization’s Statesman of the Year Award during a ceremony in Indianapolis. The awards ceremony was a part of the Hoosier Environmental Council’s 5th annual Greening the Statehouse forum, held Saturday, December 1, 2012 at the University of Indianapolis.

Senator Lugar was given the award to acknowledge his longstanding commitment to environmental matters. Recognized as a consistent champion of the Hoosier National Forest, he has advocated for expanding federal support of the state’s only national forest. Lugar also served as a central leader in shifting the emphasis on federal farm support toward forest, wetland and farmland conservation, as well as towards renewable energy and energy efficiency.

An innovator seeking common ground on climate change, the senator also developed the Lugar Practical Energy Plan. During his time in Congress, Senator Lugar has also been instrumental in bringing new, crucial voices into the clean energy discussion, including farmers and national security officials.

“Senator Lugar has been a far-sighted national leader on energy efficiency and land conversation,” said Hoosier Environmental Council executive director Jesse Kharbanda. “While we didn’t always agree with his policy positions and votes, the Senator made serious efforts to advance bi-partisan progress on renewable energy development and climate change. Lugar’s ideals -- reason, knowledge, dialogue, civility, and long-term thinking -- will leave an indelible mark on approaches to protecting the environment and advancing the economy.”

Posted 12/11/2013