Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, was awarded a Legislative Leadership Award by the environmental group on Monday at 91短视频.

The award, along with a book of nature photographs, was presented for Hanger’s work on Senate Bill 418, which “eradicate[d] a major tax barrier to solar energy,” according to the group’s announcement.

The bill extended tax exemptions to solar panels so that the equipment cannot be taxed by local governments as “machinery and tools.”

Solar energy equipment is now classified as “pollution control equipment” and exempt from local taxation. The bill was signed into law in March.

Republicans and environmental groups often butt heads over issues ranging from land conservation to funding for alternative sources of energy.

Hanger was honored on the balcony of 91短视频’s Campus Center building, overlooking the . The panels, installed in 2010, are operated by Staunton-based solar development company .

, founder of Secure Futures and professor of at 91短视频, said Monday night that solar power is the “fastest-growing industry in the United States.”

Smith said Hanger’s legislation will help support that growth.

“It’s important to align yourself with a very seasoned and very professional legislator … who can work on both sides of the aisle,” Smith said.

On receiving his award 鈥� made out of recycled glass 鈥� Hanger said human beings could be resistant to change, but need to be able to adapt.

Hanger noted the importance of coal to Virginia’s history, but said the state has survived similar changes in the past.

“There was life after tobacco,” he said, referring to a former top industry that has declined.

Several of the Sierra Club’s members thanked Hanger for his work and remarked on his “courage” in working with them.

The Sierra Club claims to be the “nation’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization.”

During the 2012 election cycle, the Sierra Club political action committee contributed more than $456,000 to congressional candidates nationwide 鈥� 99 percent of which went to Democratic candidates, according to the campaign finance tracking website OpenSecrets.org.

The remaining 1 percent went to independent Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who has described himself as a “democratic socialist.”

In 2013, the state chapter of the Sierra Club spent more than $468,000 in support of Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s successful gubernatorial campaign, according to the , which tracks campaign funds for state elections.

Waving off concerns that some in his party might be upset with him working with the environmental group, Hanger said that the bill removes an impediment to business.

“I see it as leveling the playing field,” he said.

In addition to Hanger, eight other Legislative Leadership awards were given out this year by the Virginia chapter of the Sierra Club: four to Republicans and four to Democrats, according to an April press release from the group.

Courtesy of the Daily News Record, July 21, 2014.

The chose 91短视频 because of its dedication to, said Kate Addleson, program manager for the , one of the partners in the campaign.

鈥淲e really appreciated the holistic approach that 91短视频 has to sustainability,鈥� said Addleson, who hopes to see other universities in Virginia emulate what she described as 91短视频鈥檚 pioneering and precedent-setting leadership on the issue.

The event, held on Earth Day in late April, featured a panel of 91短视频 faculty, staff and , speaking to a crowded room in the Campus Center.

鈥淔or us, it is a faith issue to take care of God鈥檚 creation,鈥� said Swartzendruber.

Motivated by a theological commitment to care for the needy, he said, 91短视频 has been prioritizing sustainability for decades to try to limit resource consumption to its fair global share. As a result, 91短视频鈥檚 buildings now consume significantly less energy per square-foot and per student than the average among its peer institutions.

Since 2000, efficiency upgrades on campus have allowed the university to save 46 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and $2.5 million on its utility bills, according to sustainability coordinator . (The figures are based on a comparison to energy consumption levels in 2000.)

One of the most significant recent sustainability projects was the on the roof of the . It was the state鈥檚 largest commercial solar power project at the time. Its innovative financing agreement has been the basis for statewide legislation designed to promote growth of Virginia鈥檚 solar energy sector. The solar project was developed in partnership with , a solar energy company led by 91短视频 business professor and MBA program co-director , who also spoke on the panel.

The university worked with the to pass an ordinance exempting the solar panel equipment from the local machinery and tools tax 鈥� another move that set precedent for recent state legislation.

Just three and a half years into their decades-long lifespan, the solar panels on the library roof have generated more than 450,000 kWh of electricity, offsetting the consumption of more than 266 barrels of oil. The average annual output of the library array is roughly equivalent to the annual energy use of 10 homes in Virginia. See live data on the solar array at

Earlier this year, the university was awarded a silver ranking by the , based on its sustainability initiatives in operations, curriculum, planning and other areas. 91短视频 is one of seven universities in Virginia with a silver ranking. Four others universities have earned bronze rankings, while none have a gold certification.

Also speaking on the panel was , a research professor at 91短视频鈥檚 . She discussed her approach to sustainability as a issue by describing the growing link between climate change and violent conflict around the world.

Biology professor provided an overview of 91短视频鈥檚 , an interdisciplinary program that combines environmental and social sciences. Launched just five years ago, enrollment has grown rapidly to more than 40 students, making it one of 91短视频鈥檚 10 most popular majors.

Kai Degner, a city councilman and former Harrisonburg mayor, also spoke. He complimented 91短视频 for demonstrating the environmental and economic benefits of large-scale sustainability initiatives, and said that the university 鈥渞eally provides us a terrific local example鈥� for government, institutions, businesses and citizens to pursue similar projects.

More on sustainability at 91短视频:

Sosa, a rising senior and and major at 91短视频, was selected out of 99 applicants to become the outdoor youth ambassador for the .

For the internship, Sosa will travel around the country for 10 weeks (June 鈥� August, 2012) with the Sierra Club’s Mission Outdoors program. He will learn different ways the Sierra Club is helping young people experience the outdoors, film these adventures, and host a video blog on youth in the outdoors.

The blog will be posted on the in June.

To be selected, Sosa submitted a 60-90 second video on why he loves the outdoors and saw voted into the top-10 via social media (Facebook, Twitter).

Founded in 1892, the Sierra Club is one of the oldest environmental organizations in the U.S. The club works to protect communities, wild places and the planet itself, according to its website.

To view Sosa’s winning video and for more information visit .