Clean Energy Toolkit for Ohio Chambers of Commerce
Is Your Chamber at the Table?
1. Introduction
2. Toolkit Vision
3. The Power of Chambers
4. Getting Started- Toolkit Categories
5. Power a Clean Future Ohio
6. Follow Up Contact
Climate and clean energy are now topics of everyday conversation in the business and policy world. Solar and wind energy are the cheapest forms of new electric generation and in the next five years or so, data suggests that it will be more expensive to operate existing coal or natural gas power plants than to build new solar or wind farms. We are already in the midst of an energy transformation.
Additionally, more and more business organizations (even the most conservative) now acknowledge climate change as a significant threat to our economy, environment, and quality of life. Further, carbon pricing, once a third rail issue, is supported to some degree by the majority of fossil fuel industry associations as well as large industrial and manufacturing organizations.
“Renewables made up 92% of new generating capacity in the U.S. in the first half of 2021.”
“Since 2014, corporate procurement has represented 37% of the carbon-free energy added to the U.S. grid.”
“Today, renewables are the cheapest source of power.”
Is the Voice of Business heard?
Whether you are fully engaged in clean energy or climate action, just dipping your toe in the waters, or watching from the sidelines, we hope this toolkit will help you find your seat at the table and help you advocate for what's important to your membership and community. A majority of Americans support advancement of clean energy, greater adoption of electric vehicles/infrastructure, and safeguards against extreme weather. This is an important policy issue for chambers of commerce to represent or lead out on.
To see the scope of the clean energy industry in Ohio, please view CICE’s Ohio Jobs and Economic Impact Report which highlights the significant impacts of clean energy investment in the state. If you are interested, as an Ohio chamber, in rebranding or adding your logo to CICE’s Jobs and Economic Impact Report, please email us at info@chambersforinnovation.com.
Vision of the Clean Energy and Climate Toolkit
Equip Ohio chambers of commerce and economic development organizations with the latest in clean energy and climate related opportunities for their community and businesses. This includes example policies, programs, and events from chambers of commerce in Ohio and around the country as well as content to get chambers started engaging more in this space.
The Power of Chambers
The business voice is critical to ensuring communities implement good clean energy and climate policy. This toolkit will help chambers of commerce and other economic development partners, begin conversations to convey the priorities of the business community related to clean energy, sustainability, and/or climate action as well as to achieve identified goals.
Note: CICE supports strong clean energy policy that creates jobs, delivers capital investment, promotes a stronger economy, and benefits our environment. We do not support unnecessary mandates or regulations, nor policies that will harm an economy.
Chamber leadership in clean energy and climate will:
1. Save your city, municipality, county, community and businesses money by securing more predictable and lower utility expenses, as well as improving the resiliency of your community’s energy grid and power delivery to residents and businesses.
2. Build momentum to help the business community achieve success and save money.
3. Help shape your community’s clean energy plans to ensure your businesses’ priorities are heard and projected outcomes will improve doing business in your community.
3. Provide opportunities for the business community to partner and work side by side with elected officials.
4. Improve air quality and public health.
5. Position businesses to attract and keep a younger and skilled workforce, as well as position your region as a more attractive community for residents, employees, and corporations.
6. Make your community more competitive in site selection; communities that have implemented clean energy have an advantage in attracting companies.
“More than 3 million Americans work in clean energy – outnumbering fossil fuel workers by 3-to-1 .”
Getting Started
The following are examples and ideas for chamber programs and policies that can be implemented to advance your effectiveness in clean energy and climate discussions. Not only can a chamber draw awareness of clean energy and climate leadership via these ideas but each of the below can be a non-dues revenue source and help attract new members.
Please click into the following topics for suggestions and to see examples from chambers across the country.
Power a Clean Future Ohio
Partner with Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO) to help your chamber engage in discussions with your municipality to pursue a climate action plan or develop more clean energy. PCFO is a resource for any municipality to advance climate action goals. PCFO can also be a resource for chambers to help them represent the business voice in such discussions.
Power a Clean Future Ohio (PCFO): PCFO is building momentum for a clean, prosperous future by equipping local leaders for equitable, community-driven carbon reductions in Ohio.
This expansive, diverse coalition engages with cities and local governments across the state of Ohio to build a clean future for our communities. Power A Clean Future Ohio is empowering local leaders with tools and resources to create carbon reduction plans and implement them in ways that are achievable, measurable, equitable, and economical.
PCFO has created a separate toolkit specifically for elected leaders and staff that also serves as an excellent resource for chambers as well. Go here to view The Ohio Clean Energy and Sustainable Communities Toolkit.
Importance of Equity: Chambers who are at the forefront of successful implementation of clean energy goals will help lead their communities to create more equitable and healthier environments for all residents and businesses.
PCFO offers equity coaching for sustainable cities and these municipalities will be eligible to receive greenhouse gas inventory services or other carbon emissions reduction resources.
“Corporations bought a record 31.1 gigawatts of clean energy through power purchase agreements, or PPAs, in 2021, up nearly 24% from the previous year’s record of 25.1GW.”
Additional and Follow Up Information:
Please reach out to CICE at info@chambersforinnovation.com for any of the following:
For more information on any of the above toolkit suggestions or examples
For introductions to any of the example chambers listed above
If you have additional examples of chambers that should be highlighted within this toolkit.
If you would like more information about PCFO, please reach out via email at info@poweracleanfuture.org
“60% of America’s Fortune 500 companies have now set at least one target related to emissions reductions and/or renewable energy sourcing.”