The Cleanie Awards® Launches Fourth Awards Season Highlighting Innovations in Clean Energy and Climate Tech

The Cleanie Awards® today announced that applications are open for its 2021 awards program. Now in its fourth year, The Cleanie Awards is the leading awards program recognizing the top innovators, thinkers, leaders, and disruptors driving America's $500 billion clean-energy sector.

The program recognizes leaders dedicating their careers to helping avert the climate crisis ? the individuals and organizations building a more just, equitable, reliable, resilient, and affordable clean energy economy. A judging panel comprised of industry leaders ? representing sectors as diverse as finance, generation, agriculture, utilities, and mobility ? will evaluate the entrants. New in 2021, The Cleanie Awards is adding two People's Choice categories.

Companies and individuals can vie for recognition as:

• Company of the Year
• Best Corporate Sustainability Strategy
• Best Journalist
• Best Media Outlet (People's Choice)
• Champion in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Investment Leader of the Year
• Keep the Power On
• Pioneer in New Technology
• Project of the Year (People's Choice)
• Rising Star
• Trailblazer
• Woman of the Year

Also new this year, The Cleanie Awards will recognize college-level leaders in College Excellence. This award, sponsored by REpowering Schools, will honor collegiate individuals and/or groups ? who are making an impact in cleantech through coursework, capstone research projects, and competitions.

REpowering Schools is a 501c3 nonprofit that unites educators, renewable energy firms, and government initiatives to help buttress STEM education and build a diverse, sustainable renewable energy workforce of tomorrow. In support of this work, The Cleanie Awards is donating a share of this year's proceeds to REpowering Schools.

"The clean-energy and climate-tech sectors are among the fastest growing areas of the U.S. economy ? generating jobs, helping build a more resilient nation, and making crucial steps toward averting our climate crisis," said Randee Gilmore, Executive Director, The Cleanie Awards. "These awards shine a spotlight on the best ideas and most impactful leaders of the year ? the people and organizations not only making a difference today, but helping build a healthier, more just, and more prosperous tomorrow. In addition to recognizing the achievements of our partners, we are excited to celebrate the next generation of our homegrown American workforce through College Excellence. This new category recognizes the next Rising Stars in cleantech."

Previous years' winners include Fortune 100 enterprises, fast-growing startups, pioneering individuals, and high-impact advocates ? from ENGIE North America and Nextracker, to Enel, GE Power, Clearway Energy, and Point Load Power.

Early bird applications are open from April 22 to May 1, and regular submissions will be accepted until June 20.

Visit www.thecleanieawards.com to apply to this year's program and for additional information, such as fees, deadlines, and sponsorship opportunities.

About The Cleanie Awards®

The Cleanie Awards is the only cleantech awards program focused exclusively on honoring innovators and disruptors who are creating market-moving solutions. The program's mission is to influence public opinion about technologies working toward a clean energy future. For more information, visit the website at www.thecleanieawards.com. Follow The Cleanie Awards on Twitter or Facebook at @CleanieAwards and LinkedIn.