26 Local Chambers in CT, and Governor, Show Strong Interest in Clean Energy
Breaking new ground, 26 local chambers of commerce—half of all chambers across Connecticut—gathered this month for a conversation about clean energy with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the Connecticut Green Bank, and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.
“Local chambers of commerce play an important role in helping Connecticut continue to prosper from the growing economic development opportunities of cleaner, cheaper, more reliable energy,” said Gov. Malloy.
Rich Brown, Vice President of the MetroHartford Alliance chamber and event cohost said: “We see clean energy as a great economic development opportunity that helps us retrain and attract businesses.”
As a result of the event:
“We have a growing number of member companies already working in clean energy, including our utilities, and more that are diversifying to capture the market for energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy.”
Nearly a dozen local chambers signed up to work with the Green Bank to inform their member businesses about affordable, long-term financing options through the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program.
The Hartford Chamber and Connecticut Economic Development Association kicked off this educational effort within a week of the event by bringing the Green Bank to its lunch- and-learn series.
Several chambers signed up to learn more about Connecticut’s new 2016 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) to project future energy needs, ensure reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also invited chambers to comment on the draft CES, which is expected to be released this fall.
“The voice of business has significant influence on our legislative discussion about energy efficiency,” added DEEP Deputy Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes.” Sending your input in writing is invaluable to increasing funding for these programs and ensuring availability throughout the year.”
In addition to the MetroHartford Alliance, the event was cohosted by the Greater New Haven Chamber, Connecticut Green Bank, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.
Pictured at top: Mackey Dykes, Vice President for C&I Programs, Connecticut Green Bank; Rebecca Nolan, Vice President, Global & Domestic Business Development, MetroHartford Alliance; CT Governor Dan Malloy; Jessica Bergman, New England Programs and Engagement Director, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy; Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner for Energy, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Tony Rescigno, President and CEO, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce; Rich Brown, Vice President of Investor Relations, MetroHartford Alliance.