Three State Lawmakers Receive the 2026 NCEL Awards for Exceptional Environmental Leadership

Chicago, IL (July 25, 2026) — The National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL) announced the recipients of its annual NCEL Awards today, honoring three state lawmakers for their leadership on environmental issues: New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero, Mississippi State Senator Hillman Frazier, and Illinois State Senator Laura Fine. The awards were presented during NCEL’s 2026 National Forum in Chicago, which convened over 200 legislators from 44 states and territories to collaborate on policy solutions related to energy, biodiversity, housing, disaster response, and more.

NCEL’s CEO, Dylan McDowell, was honored to celebrate the committed work of the three 2026 NCEL Award recipients.

“These awards recognize three legislators who are championing environmental progress in their home states while fostering collaboration and inspiration across the nation through NCEL’s network,” said McDowell. “Their work — spanning toxic chemical protections, renewable energy, and environmental justice — demonstrates the power of state action to build a healthier, more resilient future.”

2026 Rising Environmental Leader Award

Presented to New Mexico State Representative Andrea Romero, the Rising Environmental Leader Award honors Caucus members who have demonstrated outstanding leadership on environmental issues early in their legislative careers.

Representative Andrea Romero has served New Mexico’s District 46 in Santa Fe County since 2019, bringing bold environmental leadership and a deep commitment to environmental justice to the legislature. She has been a consistent and active participant in NCEL events, and she is leading on legislation to transition New Mexico away from oil and gas while centering the voices of BIPOC communities in the work.

2026 Renny Cushing Environmental Activism Award

Named in honor of lifelong environmental advocate and former New Hampshire State Representative Robert “Renny” Cushing, this award celebrates lawmakers who persevere against the odds to promote justice, equity, and sustainability in their legislative work and beyond. The 2026 Environmental Activism Award was presented to Mississippi State Senator Hillman Frazier.

Senator Hillman Frazier has served in the Mississippi Legislature for nearly five decades, earning a legendary reputation for courage and perseverance. In recent years, Senator Frazier has continued to introduce environmental legislation, including bills on solar energy, healthy soils, and protection from toxic chemical exposure. Beyond his work in environmental policy, Senator Frazier led Mississippi to ratify the 13th Amendment and establish the Martin Luther King Jr. state holiday. He has also taught democracy globally throughout his extraordinary career.

2026 Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award

The Leon G. Billings Environmental Achievement Award — named by the Board of Directors as a memorial to the organization’s founder, former Maryland Delegate Leon G. Billings, who is widely known as the U.S. Senate staffer responsible for writing the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act — is presented to members of the Caucus for outstanding achievements on environmental policies throughout their careers. The 2026 Environmental Achievement Award was presented to Illinois State Senator Laura Fine.

Senator Laura Fine has served in the Illinois General Assembly since 2013, first in the House and then in the Senate. As she concludes her final legislative session, her environmental legacy speaks for itself. Session after session, Senator Fine has led on legislation to address a range of issues, including fragrance safety, PFAS in children’s products, zero-waste solutions, carbon capture, and appliance standards. Her steadfast environmental leadership serves as a source of inspiration for members throughout the NCEL network.

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About NCEL: Created by and for state legislators, the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that organizes over 1,400 environmentally-committed state legislators from all 50 states and both parties. NCEL provides venues and opportunities for lawmakers to share ideas and collaborate on environmental issues.