Ex-US Rep. Sharp to receive medal from Energy Department

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Former Indiana congressman Phil Sharp this month will become the second recipient of the James R. Schlesinger Medal for Energy Security presented by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Energy Secretary Ernest has announced Sharp will receive the medal at a ceremony at the department's headquarters in Washington on Jan. 20.

Moniz says, "Sharp has been a fixture in energy security and clean energy progress in every possible arena for the past five decades ... from his work in academia, to Congress, to private sector and nonprofits." He says the U.S. continues to reap the benefits from Sharp's role in natural gas deregulation and establishing fuel economy standards.

Sharp represented eastern Indiana in Congress for 20 years and served on the House Energy Committee.