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.

MA State Senator, Marc Pacheco

Massachusetts Secretary of Energy and the Environment, Kathleen Theoharides

Former State Representative, Dan Bosley

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.”

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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

Fairfield Chamber of Commerce Reveals Transportation Study Results

Transportation Study Identifies Electric Vehicles As Key To Growth

Amidst Industry experts, municipal leaders, and utility executives, Fairfield Chamber of Commerce President, Beverly Balaz, shared her experience and members’ opinions on electric vehicles and clean transportation at the annual Regional Conference on Sustainable Development at Fairfield University.

Specifically, the study commissioned by the town of Fairfield captured the regional business community’s perspective on transportation issues in Connecticut and the role of electric vehicles in the future transportation system. “Transportation is continually one of the most important issues for business leaders everywhere,” said Balaz. “Participating in this study was not only important to our members, but having solid data on transportation and electric vehicle infrastructure will be invaluable as we plan for the future in Connecticut.” For Balaz, the survey results were unsurprising. The survey identified three key components: the need for fast charge charging stations, reliability of range with EV’s, and increasing the impetus to purchase EV’s.

Fairfield's Chamber of Commerce President Beverly Balaz speaks during Live Green's 2019 Regional Conference on Sustainable Development: Electric Vehicle Deployment

Among the topics discussed at this year’s conference were business’ role in workplace charging, the benefits and importance of charging stations, electric vehicle readiness planning, reliability, expected EV growth statewide, fleet deployment, infrastructure, and Connecticut’s plans for future growth in the clean transportation space.

Local Chambers From Red, BLue & 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 to create resilient communities.

According to Doug Luciani, President and CEO of Traverse CONNECT/Traverse City Chamber of Commerce in Michigan, "Local chambers and the private sector have an important role to play in creating resilient communities. Local chambers are ideally suited to be the leading conveners of stakeholders on this important economic development issue."

One local chamber CEO, Aaron Nelson, President and CEO of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, appeared by video since he was forced to cancel his attendance due to Hurricane Florence and the need to help prepare his community for the disaster.

Aaron Nelson, President & CEO, Chapel-Hill Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, NC and Christy Gillenwater, President & CEO, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, TN

"Climate change is creating challenges and opportunities for us: the challenge of resilience: how our economy is going survive, how our community will survive, how we will respond to changes now and changes on the way." Nelson said. "And then the opportunities: opportunities for economic development and innovation and job growth and working together to find solutions." He encouraged those working on resilience to reach out to local chambers. (Watch video here.)

Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO of the Chattanooga Area Chamber in Tennessee spoke about her community's leadership on clean energy, the development of Chattanooga's Advanced Smart Grid, and a community plan for growth and resilience. Chattanooga's leadership and investments in innovation and clean energy support community resilience, economic development and the ability to attract the best young talent to her community.

The event also featured Brian Strong, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of San Francisco, who spoke about the value local chambers bring to resiliency conversations and planning, and was moderated by Diane Doucette, Executive Director of Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

The event attracted many local chamber leaders and businesses interested in resilience and clean energy. The event was organized by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

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.

Wind Farm Tours in Caro, MI Drive Visitors

The Caro Chamber of Commerce says that its hometown of Caro, Michigan, has a “Norman Rockwell feel with modern amenities.” Among some of the most modern of those amenities are the turbines from nearby wind farms that are steadily transforming the region.

Those wind farms have also led to many questions from nearby residents, so many in fact that Brenda Caruthers, Executive Director of the Caro Chamber enthusiastically agreed when Consumers Energy, the state’s largest utility, proposed that the chamber host a series of tours of the new Crosswinds Energy Park that is nearing completion.

Caro is the second chamber in Michigan to help its community better understand wind farms through public tours. (The first chamber to host public tours – the Ludington & Scottville Area Chamber of Commerce in western Michigan— also partnered with Consumers Energy).

More than 300 people took the Caro tours. More than half of those people, Caruthers said, came to Caro specifically for the tours. “We’re a rural area,” she said. “We’re not a tourist area and that’s a huge number of visitors for us.”

The tours started at the chamber’s office – also a benefit for the chamber, Caruthers noted, because it can be difficult to get direct traffic to the chamber’s building – where a video about the wind farm was shown. A chamber member with a tour bus company then took the visitors to the wind farm, which has 62 turbines that will generate 105 megawatts of power enough to supply electricity for 31,000 homes.

For the first month, Caruthers personally greeted the wind farm visitors and, of course, took the tour herself. “Most of us had already seen the wind towers because they are so close to us,” she said. “But the size is so impressive. The plans that had to be developed and everything else that goes into these wind farms is just mind boggling to me and many others.”

The chamber also surveyed people returning from the tours, asking if their position on wind power had changed. More than 60 percent of respondents said they were more inclined to support wind generation. All in all, Caruthers said, the wind farm tours were a “very positive experience” for the chamber and for Consumers Energy, a major chamber member.

Amidst Shutdown, Chambers Bring Clean Energy Message to Washington

Braving a government shutdown and a Capitol Hill lockdown, local chamber of commerce leaders last week delivered a powerful message of clean energy as an engine of economic development directly to five U.S. Senators and an equal number of House members and their staffs.

“Through shutdown and lockdown, our delegation demonstrated the can-do attitude of local chambers,” said Diane Doucette, CICE Executive Director. “Local business leaders are engines of growth and perhaps the best hope we have to lead our economy toward energy innovation.”

Joining the trip were chamber leaders from Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Michigan, Massachusetts, Virginia, South Carolina, Missouri, Utah, Indiana, Tennessee, California and Texas. The executives told the members of Congress of their strong support for the Shaheen-Portman energy efficiency bill and discussed other energy initiatives.

An oped about the trip written by Susan Munroe, President of Ohio’s Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce, can be found here. A column in Breaking Energy by CICE Executive Director Diane Doucette can be found here.