WASHINGTON, DC (March 5, 2018) — During a reception tonight, Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI) presented the John D. Dingell Award to Chris Crane, president and CEO of Exelon Corporation, and Dean Apple, president and business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 15 in Illinois. This distinguished award recognizes leaders who exemplify and promote labor-management cooperation.

EEI and IBEW came together 10 years ago to create the National Labor Management Public Affairs Committee (National LAMPAC). National LAMPAC strives to foster collaboration and partnership among energy company executives and IBEW leaders to address the nation’s energy challenges. Through National LAMPAC, labor leaders and electric company executives join together to achieve the common goals for running a well-managed, efficient business with a safe and highly skilled workforce.

Exelon and IBEW Local 15 exemplified the spirit of the Dingell Award by coming together to fight for a clean energy future in Illinois. Thanks to the combined effort and close coordination of the IBEW and Commonwealth Edison, which began in 2014, the Illinois State Legislature passed the Future Energy Jobs Act in December 2016. This law expands energy efficiency and low-income programs; protects 4,200 jobs, preserves $1.2 billion in economic activity, and provides job training; and keeps Illinois’ nuclear facilities open.

“The collaboration between Chris and Dean to find solutions to help protect jobs and increase clean energy in Illinois is a terrific example of the importance of working together for the benefit of customers and our communities,” said EEI President Tom Kuhn. “Chris and Dean are tremendous leaders who have made significant contributions to the electric power industry. They both  are very deserving of this distinguished award.”

“The Future Energy Jobs Act preserves good jobs for the dedicated members of the IBEW who work in partnership with energy companies to provide customers with affordable, safe, and reliable energy,” said IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson. “This award rightly recognizes Dean and the rest of the members of IBEW for their work with Chris and his team at Exelon and Commonwealth Edison to ensure the passage of this important legislation.”

Named for the longest-serving member of Congress, the John D. Dingell Award is presented to leaders whose efforts have helped to advance the common objectives of the electric power industry and IBEW members. Mr. Dingell served as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee for many years, where he amassed an impressive record of bipartisan accomplishments on a wide range of issues, many of which focused on labor-management collaboration.