Currituck Chamber Celebrates New Oak Trail Solar Project

Oak Trail Solar, a 100-megawatt (MW), Leeward Renewables Energy (LRE) project was recently completed near Moyock, North Carolina; with Verizon Communications committing to a long-term virtual purchase agreement.  A celebratory ribbon cutting, hosted by LRE and the American Clean Power Association (ACP) featured comments from Chief Executive Officer of LRE, Jason Allen; LRE Board Member, Mary Doswell; ACP CEO, Jason Grumet; Nextracker President, Strategy, Software & Administration, Bruce Ledesma; Verizon SVP, Global Supply Chain & Sourcing, and Chief Sustainability Officer, Jim Gowen; and Currituck County Commissioner, Owen Etheridge.  “Currituck County is excited to have a renewable energy project like Oak Trail Solar in our community,” said Josh Bass, President of the Currituck Chamber of Commerce. “The project helps us on a number of fronts and supports funding for essential services that keep our community strong. LRE’s collaboration and values have built good relationships in Currituck County, and we’re looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Oak Trail Solar.”  Companies large and small are setting sustainability goals, encouraging new clean energy projects across the nation. Solar projects are known to deliver significant economic benefits to the local community for years and years to come. Oak Solar is no exception as the project created 300 jobs during peak construction and will continue to provide long-term clean energy jobs and property tax contributions to Currituck County.  “Oak Trail Solar is another example of how LRE seeks to meaningfully contribute to the communities where we live and operate. Our engagement goes well beyond job creation, economic investment, and the generation of clean, renewable energy. We strive to build lasting partnerships with civic leaders, property owners, and community members. At Oak Trail Solar, we are committed to doing just that while preserving and protecting the environment,” says Jason Allen, LRE’s Chief Executive Officer Clean energy projects have a great impact on the communities in which they reside. Not only do they offer good-paying careers, but they also contribute to the business community and provide excellent economic development opportunities, making them a perfect ally for a chamber of commerce to have.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Michele Querry.

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San Francisco Chamber Foundation Collaborates to Promote Yes San Francisco, Urban Sustainability Challenge

Urban Sustainability Challenge

Deloitte, Salesforce, and World Economic Forum recently announced the launch of the Yes San Francisco (Yes SF), Urban Sustainability Challenge, the first location-based UpLink Challenge. The challenge was created in response to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11 aimed at making communities more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.  Entrepreneurs and organizations were encouraged to submit sustainable solutions for their city’s needs for an opportunity to receive funding through the Challenge. Collaborators in this effort include Citi and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation. While Citi will use their Citi Impact Fund to help engage investors, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce Foundation will bring local stakeholders to advocate for the Challenge. San Francisco Chamber of Commerce CEO & President, Rodney Fong, said, “San Francisco has a generational opportunity to build on its core strengths as a global center of commerce, with a talented, educated workforce and a long history of leadership in technology and innovation, to refocus its energy on leading the fight against climate change.” In total, the San Francisco Chamber Foundation received 143 submissions by the August 11, 2023 deadline. The proposals were required to have a positive impact on the community through the lens of sustainability, and work to transform downtown San Francisco and revitalize spaces across the city. Innovations, which can be found here, included: Redesigned indoor and outdoor spaces that bring residents, visitors, and new businesses to the area while utilizing sustainable materials that minimize the city’s carbon footprint. Converting downtown office buildings into residential housing Innovative clean energy and storage solutions for the urban area Reimagined ideas for urban food production to provide healthy, reliable nutrition to the community. Innovative approaches to water conservation and reuse that stimulate equitable job creation. The Yes SF, Urban Sustainability Challenge will bring together a community of organizations, entrepreneurs and leaders to help create a more sustainable and inclusive San Francisco as the city works to become a model for resiliency.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.

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Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Adds New EV Charging Station

This story was written by Jackie LiBrizzi, a multimedia journalist at News13 about the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremony for their new ChargePoint station. This article was published by WBTW News13 on July, 31 2023.

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — The Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce has begun embracing the looming electric-vehicle revolution. Officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Monday for a new ChargePoint station. “Ninety-five percent of the people that come to visit us every year come by car,” said Karen Riordan, president and CEO of the chamber. “So as more and more people purchase electric car, we’re going to need to have these chargers. So we’re really trying to get ahead of it. Our stated goal is to become the electric vehicle charging hot spot of South Carolina.” The chamber now has two EV parking spots at its visitor’s center and office at 1200 N. Oak Street in Myrtle Beach. “We heard about a grant that Santee Cooper was offering, and we applied for the grant,” Riordan said. “We had two things that we applied for. One was to actually help us purchase this ChargePoint charger, and the second was to do the research study that will map all of the EV chargers that exist currently in the Grand Strand as of today.”  The grant covered 50% of the cost of the station and the chamber covered the other half. Riordan said there are nearly three dozen charging stations now in operation across the Grand Strand. Santee Cooper officials said the grant process is very competitive and that 15 to 20 companies or organizations have applied for the funding. “Of course, part of the program that we have at Santee Cooper will increase E-V adoption and encourage customers to hopefully travel to Myrtle Beach,” said Timothy Suggs, the EV program manager and commercial energy advisor for Santee Cooper said. To apply for one of the Santee Cooper Evolve grants, go to the utility’s website or email emobility@santeecooper.com.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Michele Querry.

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Chamber Leader, Miller Electric Company - Getting the Jump on Electrifying Transportation

Miller Electric Company, a proud member of the JAX Chamber and Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, and ten-year sponsor of the Jacksonville Jaguar’s new solar-powered training facility, the Miller Electric Center, recently broke ground on their newest venture, the Electric Vehicle Innovation Design Center (EVIDC). This new center, a partnership with CBRE, Schneider Electric, Graybar and WB Engineers and Consultants, is being built in response to the rapid shift to an electrified transportation system and will serve as a resource for people to better understand electric vehicles (EVs) and EV charging and infrastructure, as well as microgrids.   At the groundbreaking, Henry Brown, Miller Electric’s CEO, explained, “At Miller Electric we believe that sustainability and economic progress go hand in hand. We really see this as an opportunity to grow jobs and invest in our community”. Brown also noted that in ten years, half of cars for sale will be electric. Kerri Stewart, Chief Strategy Officer at Miller Electric and JAX Chamber Board member, added, “We are proud to spearhead decarbonization efforts in Jacksonville and Florida while revolutionizing the way commercial consumers engage with the EV industry.”

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan also spoke at the groundbreaking. “If we are the leader (in EV technology) then that creates all kinds of job opportunities, workforce opportunities - so this is exactly the type of technology I like to see us grow in Jacksonville.”  The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) participated in the event as well, bringing along electrified city buses. The Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) also voiced their support and readiness for transportation electrification.   With ambitious growth projections, people may wonder how Miller Electric is finding trained staff to meet their goals - a challenge across the board for growing clean energy businesses. One way is through the DOD SkillBridge program - a program bridging the transition for veterans leaving the military and entering the private sector. Miller provides a three to six month internship opportunity to learn electrical skills on the job. As a member of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), Miller works with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) locals across North America to ensure skilled trade professionals are trained and certified on the latest EV charging technologies. Stay tuned for more news on Miller EV Solutions and Jacksonville’s progress in EV charging (www.millerev.com).

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Anne Feldhusen.

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Bank of America CEO Speaks on the Advancement of a Clean Energy Economy at the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference

The Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce held their annual Mackinac Policy Conference from May 30 to June 2 on Mackinac Island. This year’s conference focused on “the Power of &” which created dialogue among speakers and participants on why Michigan should be focused on an “and” approach, opposed to an “either or” when it comes to policy solutions. This sparked healthy and productive conversations and showed that the “Power of &” can bring polarizing sides closer to a middle ground. Keynote speaker, Brian Moynihan, CEO of Bank of America Corporation, discussed the transition to a cleaner energy future and supported capitalism, saying the “only hope” to accomplish sustainability and carbon-reduction goals is for businesses to bridge the gap that charities, government, and individuals can’t afford: "Capitalism isn't the only system that can do this; it's really the only hope to accomplish these things." Moynihan praised the Inflation Reduction Act and the opportunities it brings to states like Michigan, such as funds to purchase electric buses and fast track permitting on new infrastructure construction.  Bank of America, with a net income of $26 billion in 2022, has committed $1 trillion for the energy transition over 10 years. Businesses will be encouraged, and frankly, pushed to move towards a clean energy economy, regardless of their stance on climate change, carbon reduction, or clean energy. "We need to help the transition take place for our clients or customers," Moynihan said. "Can we improve how it's done? One hundred percent, but right now, we need it to survive. So, the idea is how do you have that but make progress? And that comes down to having plans and having commitments, and so, the net-zero commitment by countries, by businesses, by sectors, by states, cities and towns covers a large portion of the economy in the world, 95%."

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.

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Florida Chambers of Commerce are Leading their Communities in Resiliency & Sustainability Efforts

With the start of the 2023 hurricane season, chambers and governments throughout Florida are reassessing their resiliency as they prepare for the next storm. In one of the country’s most vulnerable areas, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce is leading its community in this endeavor, recently organizing a trip to Lee County to learn from the chambers and cities still recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. “We don’t know what we didn’t know and that was why we started this effort too,” says Christie Bruner, vice president of advocacy for the chamber. “Our CEO understands we must be leaders in our community by taking the precautions needed for this type of event.” The trip took place in May and included more than 30 business and government leaders. St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch came, along with 10 other city officials. The Tampa Bay Times sent a reporter and reported on the activity. The effort was one part of the organization's Sustainability Task Force, which was developed because sustainability and resiliency is central to the mission of the chamber. On the trip, the group toured the devastation and heard about the lessons learned from the storm. This included meeting with local chambers, the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce. “We heard from our chamber partners on how essential it is to have 90 days of cash reserve,” Bruner says. “They warned us about thinking that state and federal relief funds will be coming quickly once approved. It takes time and the businesses that didn’t have three months of cash reserves are the ones that did not survive.”

Another interesting detail was how the Fort Myers Beach Chamber was able to maintain communications to the community after the storm. That chamber had a staff person recently move to India. From there, that staff member maintained the chamber’s website, social media and email newsletters becoming a key resource with current information. As such, the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce is now designating a staff member to go to outside the region when a hurricane approaches Tampa Bay. Of course, the trip was not an isolated event. It’s part of a larger effort with the chamber’s sustainability task force. After the trip, the chamber surveyed its members to gather reactions, determine the top items to work on and to start creating recommendations and the chamber is also holding a lunch and learn about the trip and to present its recommendations. “It’s hard not to prioritize resiliency issues like this as it can affect every decision a community makes, like how and where to build affordable housing or public transportation,” Bruner says. “It’s very advantageous for chambers to have that type of perspective to lead their communities.” She adds: “This trip was wonderful, but very sobering and impactful.”

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Alan Byrd.

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Op-Ed: The Inflation Reduction Act: A new dawn for Marion County

This opinion piece was written by Tina Shaw, president of Marion County Chamber of Commerce. This article was published by Times West Virginian on May, 27 2023.

The Inflation Reduction Act, historically the most substantial federal investment in modernizing the American energy industry, is positively impacting our very own Marion County and will become very important to our business community. 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. The IRA’s clean energy federal investments are broadening our energy portfolio, bolstering our production capabilities, and diversifying the secure jobs we can offer Marion County citizens. In recent years, West Virginia has seen an outflux of young professionals moving away from the state in search of more lucrative career opportunities and stable futures. Even those residing in Marion County had sought jobs in neighboring states because those markets could provide higher wages. Today, the IRA allows new clean energy companies to come to West Virginia and provide quality careers for our residents. A future is on the horizon where renewable energy is prioritized as an integral industry, which will launch local economies across West Virginia toward prosperity. The IRA is a monumental, first-of-its-kind piece of legislation because it offers secure, long-term policy commitments to clean energy initiatives. It allows companies enough time to use the allotted tax credits to develop realistic project timelines and construct facilities throughout the coming years. Recipients can delay construction until 2025 even if their federal contributions are distributed immediately. Less than two weeks after being signed into law, the IRA directly contributed to Riley Properties’ new solar grid at its Fairmont, West Virginia facility in Marion County. The IRA contributed $13,701 toward this clean energy project, which is projected to reduce the building’s annual power cost by $3,168. This pioneering investment is only the beginning of the IRA’s potential to provide substantial renewable energy credits at the commercial power grid level. Additionally, brownfield sites are returning to their former glory as they’re transformed by new energy projects with support from the IRA. A brownfield site is described as a deactivated energy community that once housed an oil, gas, or coal fueled production facility that provided heavy employment for its local economy. The IRA allows local economies to invest in modernized clean energy sources to build economic stimulation in these once prosperous sites around West Virginia. As such, Marion County has already begun receiving exciting announcements regarding brownfield site reclamation. Mon Power has selected five sites in West Virginia to build and operate solar facilities, one of which is a retired 27-acre ash disposal site in Marion County. Throughout the construction and maintenance phases, Mon Power can employ local labor to get the job done. Marion County residents have already committed to the use of Mon Power’s local substation where the solar energy will be channeled. Investments in future projects like this one, accelerated by IRA credits, will pave the way for affordable, renewable energy that will bring unprecedented economic prowess to Marion County. Congressional work to secure the Inflation Reduction Act has shaped a more prosperous outlook for the hard-working people of Marion County, and it will undoubtedly continue to do so in never-before-seen ways. The IRA will revitalize our entire state, helping us reach cleaner air quality, maintain West Virginia’s status as a leader in energy production, and bring new economic opportunities in renewable energy like Riley Properties’ solar panels and Mon Power’s reclaimed ash disposal site as a commercial-level solar grid in Marion County. A bright and clean dawn is on the horizon in Marion County and across our Mountain State.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.

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New Florida State Bills Highlight Business Opportunities for the Tourism Industry, Electrical Companies, Automobile Dealers & More - Recap of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the Lake Area Economic 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: Senator Brodeur discussed this bill that he sponsored and was passed that amends the way the state evaluates the total cost of ownership (TCO) when buying fleet vehicles. Today the metric is miles/gallon of gasoline, which does not address vehicles running on LNG or electricity. Electric vehicles, in particular, are much more available now and already often have a lower total cost of ownership over the lifetime of the vehicle, therefore the state needed to update its purchasing metrics. A portion of SB 284 originally included a revision to the way in which solar and charging projects are permitted. Specifically, Senator Brodeur, sought to have solar and EV charger installers treated similarly to other contractors performing a single function, such as installing a roof, to be eligible for an expedited permitting process. In order to achieve the larger TCO goal of the bill, this provision was eliminated when agreement on the details was not possible. The senator will continue to advocate for this change in the future. Wildlife Corridor: A major milestone for the Florida Legislature and the senator was the passage of the Wildlife Corridor running from Naples to Orlando. There will be walking and bike trails (no cars) connecting this now protected area. This will also create significant opportunities for chambers of commerce/member businesses in terms of increased tourism dollars, and will reduce carbon emissions via preservation of the land and flora. Sustainable waters: The Florida Legislature also passed new rules with respect to failing septic systems and pollution of waterways. In conjunction with these rules, Florida is also introducing oyster and clam fishing as tools to remediate contaminated waters. These measures will address numerous issues and help protect the manatee population. The senator touched on additional issues, including prescription drugs and homeowners insurance. View the full 30-minute session here. For a recap on the wide array of electrified cars and trucks available today, check out the video of EV Day at the Capitol.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Alan Byrd.

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy | 2804 Battleground Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129 Unsubscribe cicecoordinator@chambersforinnovation.com Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by abyrd@chambersforinnovation.com powered by Try email marketing for free today!

More than 300 business leaders attend inaugural Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Sustainability Summit

On January 24th more than 300 businesses attended the sold-out inaugural Greater Cleveland Partnership Sustainability Summit at the Huntington Convention Center. This article was published by the Greater Cleveland Partnership and written by Laura DeMarco on January 24, 2023.

Sustainability. It’s not just a buzzword. But what, exactly, is it, and why should businesses care?

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.

“Yesterday and today, Greater Cleveland, with its abundant natural resources, strong business base and visionary leaders can — and will — be a site for sustainable transformation and growth,” said Greater Cleveland Partnership President and CEO Baiju Shah to open the event. “As home to 20% of the world’s fresh water in our Great Lakes region, it is imperative that sustainability become a part of all that we do. Our region has extraordinary potential, which we can realize by working together.”

The keynote speech, “Sustainability Trends, Challenges and Opportunities,” was delivered by Chris Laszlo, professor of organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management.

“The way we need to think about sustainability and ESG is in terms of value creation,” said Laszlo. “It drives business innovation and needs to be integrated into core business strategies and operations.”

“Are you inspiring people? Are you influencing industry standards?” he challenged the audience.

The summit brought together sustainability leaders from large companies and small and mid-size enterprises, experts and thought leaders for educational discussions. It consisted of panels and breakout tracks for both large companies and SMEs.

Topics ranged from “Meeting Stakeholder Expectations and Targets,” to “What Your Customers Need You to Know,” “Sustainability 101” and “Innovation and Sustainability for Large Companies.”

Chris Laszlo, professor of organizational behavior at Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management, delivered the Summit keynote.

Attendee Taylor Evans, CEO of Workforce LLC, praised the Summit for “putting sustainability at the forefront of conversation,” noting its increasing importance in attracting workforce talent.

“The impact of sustainability on employee morale and retention is both remarkable and undeniable. By creating a workplace that is both purpose driven and mindful of its environmental impact, you are leaning into a long term strategy that will undoubtedly have a positive long term impact on the bottom line.

“Companies that adopt and implement a triple bottom line business model, which can be challenging for a company to do in totality, will ultimately mean that they are All In for all of their constituents (shareholders, employees and the Earth) in the long run.”

Panelists included representatives of many of the region’s largest corporations. The “Company Benefits of Sustainable Practices” panel, moderated by Elad Granot, PH.D., Dean of the Boler College of Business at John Carroll University, featured leaders from Lubrizol, Cleveland Cliffs, Blue CSR Strategies and the City of Cleveland.

Elizabeth Grove, Chief Sustainability Officer at Lubrizol, spoke to the importance of companies integrating sustainability into both their carbon footprint and “handprint.”

“At Lubrizol, we are reducing our carbon footprint, and also leveraging sustainability in our handprint, in the products we make,” she said, noting they expect the same from their suppliers. “The benefit is … co-operation in the supply chain.”

Patrick Bloom, Vice President, Government Relation at Cleveland Cliffs, spoke to the potential of sustainability to turn back the “tide of globalization,” citing the EV supply chain as beneficial for American businesses.

Shah emphasized the Summit is just the beginning of an essential new market movement, one which requires the community to work together.

“Building a Great GREEN Region on a Great Lake will take all of us, working All In,” he said. “Sustainability is essential for dynamic business growth, as experts will share today. Businesses are rapidly learning that sustainability is not optional. It’s the way of the future. Large, mid-size and small companies that embrace sustainability will have a competitive advantage. Leveraging technology and innovation leads to growth throughout the supply chain. We want all businesses to leave today’s Summit inspired to grow — and informed about resources that can help them do so.”

Key Elements in the Rebuilding Efforts of Sanibel & Captiva and for Leading Florida Developers

One of the first things people saw when arriving on Sanibel Island was the Chamber of Commerce, whose building greeted visitors and locals on the main road for years.  Six months ago, Hurricane Ian brought ferocious winds and storm surge to Florida’s southwest coast and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce’s building suffered significant damage, with flood waters overtaking the first floor. During a webinar hosted by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy February 16, the chair of the chamber board, Calli Johnson, gave a short update on her family business, Bailey’s General Store, and on the chamber. “Our store had six to eight feet of storm surge, which pushed the hurricane-rated doors in and bent the block,” she says. “The interesting thing was, even though we had significant roof failure, the solar panels survived except for some damage from flying debris.” Like all of Sanibel and Captiva, Bailey’s General Store was already becoming energy independent and more resilient. About 20 percent of the building’s energy was from rooftop solar and solar shades in the parking lot.  “I want to do the right thing for my kids and their future,” Johnson says. “As we rebuild, we’re building only on the second story, adding new solar and solar shade structures to meet energy demands. We would like to get 100 percent of our needs met.” Before Ian, the chamber embraced clean energy, holding events on it, supporting the Renewable Energy Working Group, and showcasing how chambers can lead in embracing resilience, sustainability and clean energy.  Currently, the chamber is a central force in uniting the community and a leader on the community’s resilience committee, formed to rebuild to be even more resilient during storms. The webinar itself 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. Avalon Park reduces carbon emissions by creating walkable neighborhoods with everything from school to work located close to homes. Through a partnership with the utility, Babcock has 150MWs of solar capacity, generating more energy than consumed by the community. Hurricane Ian passed over Babcock Ranch as a category 4 storm. The community did not lose power. Back in Sanibel, the chamber stressed the island is open. Repairs to the chamber are nearly complete. Captiva didn’t experience as much storm surge, so many businesses are still open just as before the storm. Others throughout the islands are in temporary spaces or utilize second story spaces.  “We’re excited to have a place for businesses to just show up with what they need for the day,” Johnson says about the chamber offices. “I’m amazed at how much recovery has taken place. There are places to come for lunch and places to stay and I’d like to welcome anyone to come visit. She adds: “Come visit us – it’s the best way to help.” Watch the full webinar here.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Alan Byrd.

Knox County Chamber event raises question: How might solar energy benefit Knox County?

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy partnered with the Knox County Chamber of Commerce as they hosted a lunch and learn on January 26 at The Gallagher Centre 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.This article was published by Knox Pages on January 27, 2023.

MOUNT VERNON — How could Knox County become energy independent? That was the topic of discussion at the Knox Chamber of Commerce Event Thursday afternoon at the Gallagher Centre. "As we talk about solar, it's really about energy independence, right?" Brian Dicken, with Toledo's Regional Chamber of Commerce, said. "And we certainly see gas prices fluctuate pretty wildly over the past couple of years. International issues come into play. "When you talk about wind, solar, certainly natural gas and oil are big in Ohio. It all fits within that energy portfolio."  Dicken's example for renewable energy was a 500-megawatt power plant that takes between 18 to 24 months to construct. Such a plant would bring in between 400 to 500 jobs, not all permanent. "But for that year and a half, you're gonna have those individuals working in your communities, come to your restaurants, getting their cars worked on," he said. "So there's certainly a local benefit to that."  The question remained: How do communities become interested and willing participants in solar energy?  "As we're trying to develop the industry, how do we get people interested and be prepared to maybe build that next solo project?" Dicken said. "Sometimes we hear about the infrastructure. Companies are required to restore roads and other infrastructure that may be disrupted during that. That's a requirement that they have to fulfill."  Some of the tax money that comes from renewable energy goes back to local schools, Dicken said. He also touched on the economic effect that the solar panel supply chain can bring, using the example of Perrysville-based company First Solar.  "They have more than 200 supply decks across the state," Dicken said. "You may know somebody who works as part of the solar supply chain. They may not be building the panel but certainly those component and services that come into it."  In return, it can make Ohio attractive for future sustainable energy businesses, Dicken said. Matt Butler, public information officer with Ohio Power Siting Board, spoke on how renewable energy projects are processed and approved by the state. "Our job is to review energy projects across the state before any developer can construct one of those facilities," Butler said. The board is comprised of some voting members, directors of state agencies from Ohio EPA, the department of agriculture, development, natural resources and health. A seventh board member is a public professional engineer appointed by the governor, Butler said. When renewable projects are involved, two additional votes come from the township affected and one from the county.  The board's process, consisting of an application, public hearings and approving or disapproving the project, generally takes about a year to complete for solar projects, Butler said.  Every project has to establish a "complaint resolution process," which is a way for community members to voice their concerns.  "If there's a land owner who has concerns that a field tile was broken on the of the property, and that is creating drainage issues on his neighboring property, that's going to be taken care of," Butler said. "In fact, we have a standard condition that requires them to repair at their expense. "You might wonder if a 25- to 30-year-end of life facility like this, what's going to happen (then)? Is this just gonna be left her in the ground for us to deal with as a community or as a landowner? And that's not the case." A decommissioning bond is required, that's put in place up front for the full replacement value of the facility with the bond adjusting every five years, Butler said. The bond would be used to take the facility up out of the ground and restore it to its preexisting use.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.

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.  Why did this topic generate much interest?  Organizations in Arizona are setting renewable energy and carbon reduction goals and developing strategies to reach them. This is financially-driven and emissions-driven and is attracting significant capital investment and job creation opportunities for the state. However, along with the economic benefits, the growth also poses supply chain and skill shortage challenges for Arizona.  Energy expert panelists included: Trevor Ledbetter, director, Office of Sustainability, University of Arizona Jonathan Simkins, vice president, Planning & Administration Global Real Estate & Workplace Experience, American Express Todd Brady, chief sustainability officer, Intel Corporation Todd Komaromy, director of resource planning, Arizona Public Service Grant Smedley, director of resource planning, Acquisition & Development, Salt River Project The panel was moderated by Ryan Evans, executive director at Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy. What were the key outcomes from discussion? A range of stakeholders are pushing organizations to reduce emissions and embrace renewables - from customers to shareholders to employees to investors.   Clean energy includes varied technologies - solar is particularly advantageous in sunny Arizona, but increasingly wind and other clean energies are in the mix, especially a wide range of energy storage technologies. Clean energy technologies are also innovating at an exceptional pace. Clean energy is price competitive and cheaper than traditional fuels for new generation.  Clean energy presents an opportunity to lock in energy prices for corporations and individuals which can limit their exposure to the volatility of natural gas and other energy sources. The advancement of clean energy is global in scope and to be competitive internationally, US-based organizations must track, measure and report on their progress through Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports.   Check out the full webinar.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Anne Feldhusen.

Top 10 Chamber Stories of 2022

West Virginia can be the Country's Leading Energy Producer Again, with the Help of Clean Energy

Randy Crane, President of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia, composed an Op-Ed to illustrate the clean energy industry's positive impact on West Virginia's economy, job growth, and economic development opportunities. Crane encourages both state senators and other lawmakers to support legislation to bolster "West Virginia’s job and energy portfolio by supporting clean energy investment provisions in upcoming legislation." Read the full CIA

Greensboro Chamber Helps Land the Billion Dollar Toyota Regional Megasite

The impact of Toyota’s announcement to build its first ever North American battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina was expressed with clarity by Brent Christensen, President & CEO of the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce. “When you have jobs like this, you change peoples’ lives,” said Christensen.  Read the full CIA

Working Toward Sunny Opportunities

Michelle Rotellini, president/CEO of the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce in West Virginia, composed an Op-Ed to illustrate the impact solar energy development has on West Virginia's economy, job growth, and economic development opportunities. Rotellini understands the importance of diversifying energy supply, and the chamber supports an "all of the above" approach to energy generation in the Mountain State.  Read the full CIA

EV Industry in FL: The Electric Surge of EVs in the Sunshine State

One of the most high-profile aspects of clean energy is the growth of electric vehicles and in many cases, the membership of chambers of commerce are buying vehicles for their personal use, their fleets, and installing chargers at their business. In April, nearly 200 people joined the Seminole County Chamber for an in-depth look at the state of the EV industry in Florida, including hearing from a panel of people in the industry moderated by the chamber’s CEO, State Senator Jason Brodeur. Read the full CIA

AZ Op-Ed: Corporate Sector Can Lead the Way in Securing Arizona's Clean Energy Future

This opinion piece was co-authored by Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council and SciTech Institute and Robin S. Reed, president and CEO of the Black Chamber of Arizona and co-founder and principal of EmFluent, LLC.  Read the full CIA

Winter Park Chamber Leads Community Sustainability with Innovative Prosperity Scorecard

When COVID-19 hit, the Winter Park Chamber, like so many others, mobilized to work on a multitude of issues outside of the typical purview of a chamber, even creating an Economic Recovery Task Force. “We became aware of needs that we didn’t traditionally look at, like poverty and food insecurity,” says the chamber’s president/CEO, Betsy Gardner Eckbert, IOM. “Afterward, we thought we needed to create a tool measuring total prosperity where everyone could plug in and see the factors that create prosperity.” Read the full CIA

The Brooklyn Chamber Holds Energy Summit and Expo

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in New York is positioned to be a leader in developing a clean energy economy, and recently hosted a Brooklyn Energy Summit and Expo to talk about the city’s clean energy future. The chamber brought together community innovators and leaders to focus on workforce development, and discuss energy efficiency and savings.  Read the full CIA

Logan County Chamber Ensures that Their Community is Well Informed on Solar

The Logan County Chamber of Commerce (OH) recently partnered with Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy to provide a Utility-Scale Solar Forum in conjunction with a regular meeting of the Logan County Community Improvement Corporation. This event was targeted at community leaders, in a grass tops strategy, to help ensure that the information presented would flow to the local population from trusted sources.  Read the full CIA

Texas Works Towards a Clean Energy Economy, Helping Communities Across the State, Regardless of Political Opinions on the Industry

The San Angelo Chamber of Commerce has had a hand in recruiting energy companies to develop at least nine solar and wind farms near their small town. “They’re providing a really strong revenue source,” said Michael Looney, head of economic development for the San Angelo Chamber. The San Angelo community seemed open to the new projects, despite clean energy not always being well received in other communities across the country. “They (renewable energy projects) have some political pushback in certain communities that find them to be not a really good fit, but in Tom Green County we found that it was a perfect fit.” Read the full CIA

Florida Clean Energy - Powering Workforce Development

The panel, moderated by CICE’s Alan Byrd, discussed how rapid growth of the clean energy sector presents economic opportunity in Florida and how critical it is to have a workforce with the right skills and training in order to attract clean energy companies to both urban and rural areas. A key message for the audience of chamber of commerce executives, was to keep in mind that from June to August, hundreds of millions in federal funding will flow into Florida thanks to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Read the full CIA

If you would like to learn more about navigating clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.