The Conservation Council of N.C. recognized seven state politicians for environmental work.
For its annual "Green Tie" awards, the Raleigh-based nonprofit honored Attorney General Roy Cooper, state Sen. Ellie Kinnaird and state Reps. Angela Bryant, Ruth Samuelson, Cullie Tarleton, Jennifer Weiss and Paul Luebke.
Cooper was praised for having a team of lawyers fight the Tennessee Valley Authority over air pollution.
Bryant, Samuelson and Tarleton were recognized for their support for a smoking ban and bills on energy efficiency and water conservation.
Weiss and Kinnaird were singled out as representative and senator of the year.
Luebke received the "Defender of the Environment" award, the highest award given this year.
"At the Legislature, it was a short time ago very few people talked about the need to protect the environment and public health," said board president Nina Szlosberg.
She said business and environmental groups now work together.
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