Chamber Power Line: Volume 8 June 2023

Highlighting Chamber Innovation, Policy Updates, & Clean Energy News 2022 CICE Annual Report Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy presents its 2022 annual report, highlighting chamber clean energy and climate leadership. CICE thanks its funders, partner organizations, and chamber allies across the country, who work to amplify and advance an equitable, clean energy economy, while highlighting business leadership in the areas of clean energy, climate action, and resilience. NEW 2023 Clean Energy Investment Announcements Please find CICE's latest reports in our Clean Energy Investments series, featuring clean energy economic investment announcements. It is our hope that you find the content within informative and that it helps highlight the significant impact of the emerging clean energy economy. If your state has been highlighted and you are interested in co-branding the report, CICE would be happy to customize a copy with your logo included. Contact us with any questions. CICE Team Announcements Megan Miraglia joins CICE full-time as its first Chief of Staff. Megan has worked with CICE as a consultant since 2019. In this new role, Megan will support CICE's daily operations, strategy, and fundraising. Megan has worked with leading climate organizations including NRDC and the National Wildlife Federation, and as a senior staff member on congressional campaigns in California, Ohio, and New York. mmiraglia@chambersforinnovation.com Now Hiring: Midwest Regional Director CICE has an immediate opening for full-time Midwest Regional Director who will help build CICE’s network of chambers of commerce in Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and other strategic Midwest states. The ideal candidate should be comfortable doing outreach to chamber of commerce executives to educate and engage them on clean energy issues, economic development opportunities associated with clean energy, and, where appropriate, climate action. Ideally, the candidate will have experience working in public policy, clean energy issues, and/or campaign experience and have experience working with chambers of commerce/economic development organizations. Learn More Chambers In Action  Stories of leadership by chambers of commerce across the country Chambers, Businesses, and Utilities Meet to Discuss AZ's Increasing Corporate Demand for Clean Energy On February 21, the Tucson Metro Chamber of Commerce and Arizona Forward co-hosted a lively discussion on the growing demand for clean energy in Arizona, featuring representatives of the private sector and utilities.  Read the full CIA here Knox County Chamber Event Raises Question: How Might Solar Energy Benefit Knox County? The Knox County Chamber of Commerce hosted a lunch and learn about the upcoming solar development in Knox County; including a panel of experienced leaders who shared the economic and community benefits of utility-scale solar, as well as the regulatory process for solar developments. Read the full CIA here Key Elements in the Rebuilding Efforts of Sanibel & Captiva and for Leading Florida Developers The webinar focused on two large community developers in Florida, Kitson Partners, which developed Babcock Ranch near Fort Myers, and Avalon Park Group, which owns communities in Orlando, Wesley Chapel and Tavares and is planning Avalon Park Daytona Beach. During the webinar, co-hosted by Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce and the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, key executives from Kitson and Avalon shared how they create more sustainable and resilient communities. Read the full CIA here More than 300 Greater Cleveland Business Leaders Gathered to Discuss the Importance of Sustainability More than 300 business leaders and stakeholders gathered at the inaugural Greater Cleveland Partnership Sustainability Summit at the Huntington Convention Center on Tuesday to discuss the importance of being All In on sustainability for business growth and regional impact — and steps and resources to get there. Read the full CIA here Op-Ed: The Inflation Reduction Act: A New Dawn for Marion County "An influx of renewable energy companies choosing to conduct business in West Virginia has been observed — thus creating new jobs for in-state workers and building substantial tax revenue. Thanks to the clean energy provisions included in the IRA, our home state is quickly gaining a reputation as a prosperous place to live and do business. As such, Marion County is doing its part to help West Virginia maintain its status as a Top 5 energy-producing state in the nation." Read the full Op-Ed here Full Chambers in Action Archive Public Policy Spotlight Bennet, Hickenlooper Celebrate $9.5 Million for Solar Innovation In Colorado Ukraine found an unlikely tool to resist Russia: Solar panels Clean energy dodges a bullet in the Texas legislature BOEM Completes Environmental Review of Offshore Wind Leasing in the Gulf of Mexico Gov. Jared Polis signs “enormous package” of green energy and climate change bills The Power System Benefits of Interregional Transmission Reclaimed Kentucky coal mine sees sun shining on new solar PPA with Toyota Lima Council takes first step in floating solar array project Indiana Chamber Legislative Agenda with opposition to an HB 1008 Pension Investments, anti-ESG legislation Sen. Jason Brodeur: Florida law must keep up with electric vehicles’ development Here’s why Florida Republicans are starting to embrace clean energy Columbus, Phoenix, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Augusta to be new federal ‘workforce hubs,’ White House announces IRS releases guidance on direct pay and transferability under IRA Electric vehicles bolster national security, energy independence of US Recent Events Recap of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session with Senator Jason Brodeur CICE and the Lake Economic Area Development (LEAD) co-hosted an update summarizing the clean energy, resilience, and sustainability outcomes from the recent Florida Legislative Session. The recap featured State Senator Jason Brodeur, chair, Appropriations Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government. Key highlights from the discussion, include: SB 284, Wildlife Corridor and sustainable waters. Watch the full webinar here Read the full CIA here Clean Energy Economic Development News Chart: Clean energy investment to hit $1.7T, widening... That's more than the $1 trillion oil, gas and coal will get this year - but still a far cry from the $4 trillion IEA says will be needed annually by 2030. Read more www.canarymedia.com GreenPower Motors bringing more jobs to West Virginia CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) - A relatively new company to West Virginia is already announcing more expansion plans, and its growth may not be over yet. It was just over one year ago that GreenPower... Read more www.wfxrtv.com Solar company creating 300 new jobs in Sumter Co., SC SEM Wafertech Inc. and Solar4America Technology, Inc., both owned by SPI Energy Co., Ltd., are establishing their first South Carolina operations in Sumter County. Read more www.wistv.com $1B Gates solar farm to provide "new adventure in ag" Kansas City-based Savion is seeking approval to build an 800-megawatt solar farm and a 300-megawatt energy storage system along State Route 29. Read more www.dispatch.com Clean Energy Resources Check out CICE's new Net Metering document for chambers of commerce, offering essential background information on the billing mechanism. More Resources For more clean energy resources visit our website and check out our Resources section, featuring our new Clean Energy Investment Announcements. If you'd like to submit content for this newsletter or have questions for our team of clean energy experts, please email us at cicecoordinator@chambersforinnovation.com.