CHAMBERS IN ACTION

Local chambers across the country are taking the lead in creating and convening clean energy conversations, best practices, events and advocating on local policy.

Chambers for Innovation 3/10/20 Chambers for Innovation 3/10/20

Massachusetts Chamber Leaders Briefed on Top 2020 Issues: Transportation, Resiliency, and Reliability

CICE’s Annual Policy Briefing on Top 2020 Issues:

Transportation, Resiliency, and Reliability

Last week over 60 Chamber Executives from across Massachusetts participated in CICE’s annual policy briefing hosted by the Greater Boston, Worcester Regional and Cape Cod Chambers of Commerce. The briefing call featured State Senator Marc Pacheco, Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and the Environment Kathleen Theoharides, and Clean Energy Expert and former State Representative Dan Bosley all of whom spoke with local chamber executives and businesses about the state’s clean energy priorities and the potential impacts to local economic development, job creation, transportation and resiliency.

Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and the Environment, Kathleen Theoharides

Senator Pacheco spoke about the bi-partisan commitment to help the Commonwealth become net zero by 2050, praised the pledge made in the Governor’s State of the State, and addressed the comprehensive climate legislation that passed the Senate in January. Of particular interest, he discussed Department of Public Utilities (DPU) oversight which will focus on utility reliability, affordability, public safety, cyber security, and GHG reductions. Senator Pacheco also talked about increased oversight of Mass Save which is set to prioritize the expansion of programs with the most potential for energy savings, including commercial and industrial. Additionally, the senator touched on new renewable energy pilots, electrification of public transit, appliance standards, and low income solar mentioned in the Senate’s legislation. To learn more about the state Senate’s climate legislation check out WBUR and Boston Globe articles.

Secretary Theoharides spoke about transportation challenges in the Commonwealth, the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI), and the administration’s clean energy priorities. Specifically, she outlined the impact TCI will have on transportation infrastructure and electrification as well as Massachusetts’ commitment to the regional initiative which is expected to reduce emissions and also generate revenue for needed infrastructure updates. Massachusetts aims to be a leader, with Theoharides sharing “We will be updating our targets and plans to incorporate the Governor’s new net zero goal. We not only want to attain the targets but also model best practices and solutions.”

Clean energy expert and former Representative, Dan Bosley, addressed the Greenworks bill that passed the House last year. Greenworks offers $1 billion for cities and towns to use for climate adaptation and recognizes the importance of resiliency. Said Bosley, “Greenworks can help address climate and business impacts, and businesses will face higher costs unless we do something about climate change. The good news is that people are doing something about it, and this resiliency bill, if spent well, could lead to innovation that results in significant economic growth.”

In addition to the policy experts, the chamber co-hosts shared their respective clean energy priorities:

“We focus a lot on environmental stewardship at home and in businesses. As a chamber, we want to increase clean energy jobs (which we believe is critical to economic development and resiliency); expand our local transportation infrastructure (which will reduce congestion, emissions, and improve our economy); and work with utilities and state agencies to address the challenges faced by our businesses.”

-Tim Murray

Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce

“Offshore wind remains an important issue for us as it puts us at the forefront of this exciting clean energy industry. This year we hosted the Cape’s first EV Car Show, supported a pilot program for large energy storage sites in more remote areas, advocated for improved public transportation, and our board members are asking us to be more engaged in climate action and resiliency.”

-Wendy Northcross,

Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce

“We think about climate change in four categories: the clean energy industry and growth of jobs; the broader responsibility the business community has for climate readiness; how we adapt and respond knowing there are tradeoffs and costs of implementing tactics for alleviating climate change into our operations; and lastly the connectedness between these and other climate related issues like transportation/congestion and housing.”

-Jim Rooney

Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce

Chambers for Innovation 4/24/18 Chambers for Innovation 4/24/18

Offshore Wind Projects Would Benefit MA for Decades, Cape Cod Chamber CEO Says

"Given the promise of [the proposed projects,] it is critical for Massachusetts to show its seriousness by supporting the nascent industry's growth, so it does not become overshadowed by development activity under way in New York and other states on the Eastern Seaboard," Northcross wrote.

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 a recent op-ed in Cape Cod Today.

But as competition for offshore wind projects heats up along the east coast, the Commonwealth needs to act quickly to show its support, she added.

The local chamber CEO also cited some of the benefits expected to come from the proposed projects, noting:

A $15 million fund for development of supply chain, businesses, and infrastructure, and job-training programs for local workers through Vineyard Wind.
Some $2.75 million in agreements with the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Bristol Community College, New England Aquarium and other organizations through Bay State Wind's -- plus, more than $2 million in grants for research and programs to protect the region's fisheries.
Commitments of $1 million to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy to support economically disadvantaged students and another $1 million to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth through Deepwater Wind's Revolution Wind project.

"By ensuring robust competition and diversity in the offshore wind industry from the start," Northcross wrote, "the Commonwealth will pay decades worth of dividends into the state's economy long after the first turbines are spinning."

Read the op-ed by Northcross in Cape Cod Today.

Other MA local chamber CEOs in the news include:

Rick Kidder, President and CEO of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce, who previously voiced his support for offshore in South Coast Today.
Jeannie Hebert, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce, who last year called for an increased commitment to renewable energy in the Worcester Business Journal.

Chambers for Innovation 1/9/18 Chambers for Innovation 1/9/18

Top 10 Featured Chamber Stories in 2017

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

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

PA Local Chambers Co-host Geisinger Tour with Legislators

"Efficiency lowers overhead, cleans our land, water and air and even saves lives. It's simply the right thing to do," said Bob Garrett, President and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, one of three chambers that hosted a tour of the Geisinger Advanced Energy Plant. Using state incentives, Geisinger purchased energy-saving technologies saves them $15 million a year. More.

In NC, Local Chambers Call on General Assembly to Support "Some of the Best Economic News" to Reach Their Region

Four rural local chambers called on North Carolina's General Assembly leadership to support wind and solar energy-- calling clean energy some of the best economic news to reach the Northeastern part of the state in a long time. More.

Local Chambers Host Largest Clean Energy Convening At MA Statehouse

More than three-dozen local chambers of commerce and member businesses met with legislators for the largest convening of local chambers at the Massachusetts Statehouse to discuss clean energy. More.

CEO of Local MI Chamber Co-hosts National Conversation About Clean Energy

"Local leadership and best practices [in clean energy] are being set by communities," said Doug Luciani, CEO of TraverseConnect in Michigan, which cohosted a nationwide conversation about clean energy for local chambers. "Regions that are going to succeed in attracting the brightest and best are going to be regions that fully embrace these new technologies, doing the right thing for the right reasons." More.

In NV, Local Chamber CEO Serves on Governor's Energy Choice Committee

"From the standpoint of the chamber, my job is to translate what we're learning about energy choice to the positive impact it is expected to have on consumers and local businesses-- on the people who live here," said Ann Silver, CEO of the Reno and Sparks Chamber of Commerce. "I have no doubt: if it's good for people, it's good for business." More.

Ohio Heartland Chambers Visit State Capitol to Set the Record Straight on Wind Energy

More than a dozen local chamber, economic development leaders, and community officials shared their front-line stories about the benefits of wind with state government leaders in 2017. They discussed the value that tax base increases, property owner payments, and increased economic activity deliver to their economies when utility scale wind farms are constructed. More.

In VA, Local Chamber Supports Onshore $20 Million Plus Wind Farm

"Focusing on the energy of the future is just one way to support the business of the future," said former Botetourt County Chamber Executive Director Doloris Vest. The Rocky Forge Wind Farm is expected to generate $20 to $25 million in tax revenue and drive decades of increased local purchasing, employment, and investment. More.

World Gathering of Chambers Learn that, in the US, Local Chambers are Increasingly Supporting Clean Energy

"More and more, local chambers are at the table on important clean energy discussions all over the country," Wendy Northcross, President and CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber, told more than 1,000 CEOs and chamber leaders from more than 100 countries at the annual gathering of the World Chambers Congress in Sydney, Australia. More.

CT Chamber Out Front Again on Clean Energy

"The Bridgeport Regional Business Council recognizes the importance clean energy has on local economic development and job creation," said Jeff Bishop, Executive Director of the Trumbull Chamber of Commerce, an Affiliate Chamber of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council and Business Growth and Retention Director at the BRBC. "We will continue to support the City in their quest to revitalize our business community." More.

In TN, Greater Memphis Chamber Seizes "Clean" as Opportunity for Business Growth Opportunity

"At the Greater Memphis Chamber, we have a commitment to economic growth for all," said Phil Trenary, President and CEO. "And we recognize that the growing opportunities in clean energy are an important part of that mix for our members." More.

Chambers for Innovation 10/30/17 Chambers for Innovation 10/30/17

Local Chambers Seizing the Economic Opportunities in Clean Energy Featured at World Chambers Congress

Wendy Northcross, President and CEO of the Cape Cod Chamber, spoke about Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy before more than 1,000 CEOs and chamber leaders from more than 100 countries in Sydney, Australia, this September.

“More and more,” she said, “local chambers are at the table on important clean energy discussions all over the country. We know that big companies like Google, Facebook and Amazon want to power their data centers with 100% renewable energy; and Apple, GM and Walmart want to power their operations with renewable energy.”

Renewable energy, she added, is going mainstream in the U.S. “So it only makes sense for chambers to work with businesses and policymakers to help attract these investments and jobs to our communities.”

She also noted that there is growing competition from wind, solar, technology and other trade associations that seek to recruit member businesses. “To stay relevant, to keep these members, we must be entrepreneurial. We must lead on innovation and cutting-edge economic development issues such as this one,” she said.