Seminole County Chamber Sparks Clean Energy Discussion
In early March, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) helped facilitate another key conversation about the future of energy in Florida—this time with the Seminole County Chamber taking the lead.
The Chamber convened a panel for its monthly breakfast, Good Morning Seminole, to explore a wide range of energy topics, including EV-charging roads, federal incentives, utility-scale solar, and landfill gas. The discussion was then broadcast through its podcast network.
“The diversity of this panel showed how new forms of energy, driven by increased technology in renewable energy, can help communities continue to grow their economy,” said Alan Byrd, Florida outreach director, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.
The panel featured five leaders working to meet Florida’s growing demand for energy:
Sharon Arroyo, vice president, Duke Energy, which had just announced four more utility-scale solar projects throughout the state
Chris Cucci, executive vice president, Climate First Bank, which specializes in helping finance renewable energy projects
Ben Pauluhn, president, Optimus Energy Solutions, which works to install EV chargers and commercial solar throughout the Southeast
Kristine Richmond, senior director, sustainability, Waste Management, which provides energy through gases emitted at landfills
Bryan Homayouni, director of intelligent transportation systems, Central Florida Expressway Authority, which is building the first highway that will charge EVs as they drive
This is not the first time that clean energy has been a focus of the Seminole County Chamber.
It was the first chamber, in partnership with CICE, to offer members no-cost EV chargers and hosted a 2022 event focused on EV charging infrastructure and market trends. Last year, the chamber shared the business community’s desire for fewer regulations on EV charger permitting with the state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.
“Our membership expects programming that helps them learn about issues that could affect them, and energy is certainly one,” says Rebekah Arthur, president & CEO, Seminole County Chamber. “This high-level panel was insightful and clearly showed how communities like ours that have a significant technology industry need to look at how they will address the growing energy demand.”
To listen to the discussion, visit the Seminole County Chamber’s podcast site or search Seminole County Chamber on your preferred streaming platform.