Why would six North Carolina Chambers of Commerce send an urgent letter to the State General Assembly?

Six North Carolina Chamber directors, representing hundreds of businesses in rural regions, emphasized in a letter to legislators that wind and solar energy projects deliver extraordinary economic benefits to their communities including new jobs, new tax revenues and landowner lease payments.

"Many of our communities have struggled to attract new jobs, business opportunities and major investments for decades. In recent years, however, we've welcomed new economic development opportunities and businesses, including wind and solar energy project developers, service providers, manufacturing companies, research and educational institutions, engineering, architects, construction firms and contractors, and other businesses engaged in the renewable energy sector."

Their primary request to legislators- support policies that allow the renewable industry to thrive in the northeastern part of North Carolina, thereby sending a clear signal to companies and investors that the state is open for business.

See the complete letter here. If you would like more information about North Carolina Chambers of Commerce and their interest in renewable energy, please contact susan@chambersforinnovation.com

SunEnergy1's Summit Farm Solar together with two other area solar farms in Currituck County, NC generate $225,244 annually in new, local tax revenue.

Amazon Wind Farm US East operated by Avangrid Renewables is now the largest taxpayer in both Pasquotank and Perquimans counties in NC bringing in $640,000 in annual tax revenue.

Metro South Chamber Was an Early Leader in the Electric Vehicle Revolution

Now the City of Brockton is:

• Recognized by MA Department of Environmental Protection

• Adding its 14th EV to the municipal fleet

We wanted to make sure our community is always part of the innovative wave of the future,. We organized a ride and drive event with our partner to share the excitement of this new technology. Our city council member participated in the ride and drive event,embraced electric vehicles, and the rest is history. The city of Brockton is now adding its 14th electric car to its municipal fleet.

- Chris Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce

Chris Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber of Commerce, embraced Electric Vehicles (EVs) early. He partnered with Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to introduce EVs to his community and businesses through a ride-and-drive event back in 2015.

Massachusetts DEP Commissioner Martin Suuberg joined Mayor Bill Carpenter at Brockton City Hall last week to celebrate Brockton's leadership. See the Video and News Article

DEP's statewide program provides up to $7,500 per vehicle to purchase or lease plug-in electric vehicles, and up to $7,500 for charging stations. Suuberg said Brockton has received $120,000 in total under the EV Incentive Program (for municipalities).

If you would like to learn more about MA's incentives for EVs and charging stations please contact us at info@chambersforinnovation.com.

See other stories about Local Chambers and Electric Vehicles:

Chamber Executives Line Up to Drive New EVs

Chambers Learn About Rebates for EVs

Local NC Chamber Innovates w EV Charging Stations

Orlando Chamber Drives Toward the Future

Dearborn Chamber Makes Energy Connection Henry Ford Would Appreciate

Paulding Chamber of Commerce Says It's Time For Ohio To Lead On Clean Energy

After Ohio's new governor proposed his first budget, a leading newspaper, the Columbus Dispatch, evaluated it against economic and quality of life measures. But according to Mikayla Pieper, the head of the Paulding Local Chamber, "A key measure was missing, clean energy deployment." In a Letter to the Editor, she emphasized that "State policies on clean energy can attract business - or drive it away." She called on state leaders to improve the Buckeye State's economic performance with clean energy deployment.

Read the full text of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce's letter to the editor

Mikayla Pieper, Executive Director of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce

Top 10 Featured Stories in 2018

Top 10 Featured Chamber Stories in 2018

Congratulations to the chambers featured in the Top 10 stories highlighting leadership on innovation and economic development.

Two Governors, Amazon Consultant, Foundation Leader Tell Local Chambers the Economic Outlook for Clean Energy is Strong

The transition to the clean energy economy is happening now. States are making it happen. Local communities are making it happen. And corporations are making it happen.

This was the message on a special briefing call for local chambers from guest speakers Gov. Rick Snyder (R-MI); former Governor Bill Ritter Jr. (D-CO); Rich Powell, Executive Director of the ClearPath Foundation; and Theresa Kostzrewa, Consultant for Amazon. More.

Economic Benefits of Offshore Wind in Clear View for Chamber, Business Leaders

On a beautiful sunny day, 115 local chamber of commerce and business leaders got on-board a boat in Massachusetts for a 30-mile journey to tour America's first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm. More.

Lancaster County Chamber CEO Talks About PA's Energy Development & Lancaster's Solar Leadership

Thomas Baldridge, President and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, speaks out in a new video about how a community and state historically known for oil, coal, and shale development is now embracing clean energy. More.

Local Chambers From Red, Purple States Speak at Global Climate Summit

The day before Hurricane Florence hit North Carolina, local chamber CEOs from red and purple states gathered at the Global Climate Summit in San Francisco to talk about their work in ensuring resilient communities.  More.

Ohio's Local Chamber Leaders Share Story of Wind Benefits with State Legislators

Several local chamber, economic development leaders, and community officials traveled to the state capitol on multiple occasions to share their front-line stories about the benefits of wind with state government leaders.  More.

Chamber Recognized for Helping Members Save through Energy Efficiency

The Newton Needham Business Energy $avers program connects local businesses to available energy saving programs and incentives offered through Mass Save which is run by the local utilities. (Businesses receive free energy audits, financing for upgrades, and rebates on recommended energy improvements.) It has already increased small and medium business participation by 30 percent. More.

Many Local Chambers Across US in the News Supporting Clean Energy

Local chamber of commerce CEOs are making news for their leadership around clean energy. Here are some recent highlights:  More.

Chamber VP Says Solar Will be a "Major Part" of Region's Economic Future

First Solar, a leading member of the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, broke ground in 2018 on a project expected to become what has been described as "The largest solar factory, by capacity, in the Western Hemisphere."  More.

4th Annual Champions of Clean Energy Awards Brings Together Chambers of Commerce From Across North Carolina

In November 2018, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and Conservatives for Clean Energy co-hosted the 4th Annual Champions of Clean Energy Awards Luncheon where the Currituck Chamber of Commerce was recognized with a Clean Energy Champion award for their continued commitment to expanding solar and wind energy projects across Northeastern North Carolina. More.

Middlesex Chamber's Innovative Financing Program to Boost Local Jobs, Profits and Investment

Businesses everywhere are looking to save money when it comes to energy costs. In response, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce is partnering with the Connecticut Green Bank to help member businesses afford energy efficiency and clean energy upgrades. More.

Lawsuit Aims To Attract More Wind Investment and Development To Ohio

This week, a group of farmers in Paulding County (OH) and a wind industry association filed a lawsuit against the state of Ohio alleging that the General Assembly violated the state's constitution when it mandated a dramatic increase in the distance wind turbines must be located from property lines. The suit alleges that the mandate is unconstitutional because it was included in an "unrelated budget bill, which is against the ‘single subject’ rule.” Read News Article Here

The plaintiffs and other economic development leaders in Ohio claim that the impact of the "setbacks" has in effect put a moratorium on wind development and new investments in Ohio, stating "Every Ohio wind project under development has been abandoned or stalled."

Mikayla Pieper, Executive Director of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce, is a big supporter of the economic benefits of wind investment for her community. She is in the news this week commenting on the lawsuit:

"Constitutionality of the provision aside, it's imperative that Ohio finds a way to improve the wind setback requirement to a distance that permits wind energy development," said Mikayla Pieper, Executive Director, Paulding Chamber of Commerce. "Opening our state for wind development will help attract business to our state, as well as create new opportunities for existing Ohio businesses. We look forward to the court's action in this case." 

Chamber leaders and economic development officials in communities across Ohio are actively supporting renewable energy projects that grow their tax base, develop a skilled workforce, and create new investment opportunities in their communities.

Please contact Tom Bullock if you would like more information at  tom@chambersforinnovation.com

Lancaster County Chamber CEO Talks About PA’s Energy Development & Lancaster’s Solar Leadership

Thomas Baldridge, President and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, speaks out in a new video about how a community and state historically known for oil, coal, and shale development are now embracing clean energy.

"Wind and solar and other renewable energy powers are now just the next iteration of how Pennsylvania continues to lead," Baldridge says.

Among the area businesses embracing solar energy are Urban Outfitters, Elizabethtown College, and local farms. In September, the Courtyard by Marriott-Lancaster also transitioned to  100 percent solar power. And in March, the State of Pennsylvania awarded $2.4 million in grants for eight new solar energy projects in Lancaster.

"Having an energy industry like solar in our own backyard and being able to tap that as aggressively as possible is a great way for us to control our future and create a clean, more sustainable energy source for Lancaster County," Baldridge said.

Watch video here

Read more about the Lancaster Chamber's leadership on clean energy here and here.

Many Local Chambers Across US in the News Supporting Clean Energy

Local chamber of commerce CEOs are making news for their leadership around clean energy. Here are some recent highlights:

Chris Heck, CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce

PA Clean Energy Financing Law Good For Business. Chris Heck, CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, recently wrote an op-ed praising Pennsylvania’s new clean energy financing law, saying: "The bipartisan clean energy financing bill [recently signed into law] by Gov. Tom Wolf will grow jobs, save businesses money—and, best of all, it won'tcost taxpayers anything." Read more in The Pittsburgh Business Times. .

Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce

Local Chamber Energy-saving Program Makes The Boston Globe. When the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and other partners, launched a new energy-saving initiative last month, several news outlets took notice. Read more in The Boston Globe.

Susan Munroe, CEO of the Van Wert Area Chamber

Ohio CEO Says Wind is the --Greatest Economic Opportunity in Rural Ohio—But Not All Benefit. “Some of us have experienced that promise of economic opportunity with wind farm development and some of us have been denied,” Susan Munroe, CEO of the Van Wert Area Chamber, said at a capitol news conference. Read more in Statehouse News Bureau.

Rick Kidder, South Coast Chamber

 10 MA Local Chambers Press for More Renewable Energy. Ten local chamber leaders made news when they called on state lawmakers to increase the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy—saying it will send “the right market signal to clean energy industries, such as solar, energy storage, and offshore wind, that the commonwealth is the place to invest.” a positive market signal for investments. At least two media outlets reported on their message.  Read more in The Worcester Telegram and The Herald News

Doug Luciani, President and CEO of Traverse Connect and Co-chair of CICE's Advisory Council

MI Utility Program to Boost Renewables Good for Region. Doug Luciani, President and CEO of Traverse Connect and Co-chair of CICE’s Advisory Council, co-authored an op-ed in support of a new voluntary green pricing program—saying the resulting investments in clean energy will “keeps the money from power generation circulating in our community, and offers the possibility of construction jobs and other related employment.” Read more in The Record Eagle.

Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

Offshore Wind Will Benefit MA for Decades, Local Chamber CEO Says. Three new proposed offshore wind projects would deliver decades of economic benefits to the people of Massachusetts, Wendy Northcross, CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, wrote in an op-ed. Read more in the Cape Cod Today.

Also:

See Toledo Chamber and Toledo Blade Article

See Chattanooga Chamber and Times Free Press

See more Chambers in the News.

See stories of Chambers in Action from North Carolina to Pennsylvania and Ohio to Tennessee.