Michigan Chambers Bring Clean Energy Message to Congress

The Lansing Regional and the Saginaw County Chambers of Commerce traveled to Washington last month to promote clean energy policy with members of the Michigan congressional delegation. The chambers also discussed the economic benefits of the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act, a bipartisan bill sponsored by U.S. Sens. Rob Portman (R-OH) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).

The DC visits by the Lansing and Saginaw chambers continue the effort by local chambers from around the country to highlight the economic opportunities associated with clean energy. Earlier this year, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy brought several dozen chamber executives — including Michigan’s Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce — to Washington for a series of meetings on the Hill.

“Policies that encourage energy efficiency create an environment that drives business growth, investment and economic development” said Kristin Beltzer, senior vice president of government relations at the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce. Veronica Horn, executive vice president of the Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce, said, “Congress should pass policies that increase our energy efficiency and help spark new businesses and investment.”

The Traverse City chamber’s write up of its Washington experience with links to its Energy Efficiency Loan Fund is here. A related case study from the Flint & Genesee Chamber, “Sparking Clean Energy Connections in Michigan,” can be found here.