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 6/13/18 Chambers for Innovation 6/13/18

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 recently got onboard a boat in Massachusetts for a 30-mile journey to tour America's first offshore wind project, the Block Island Wind Farm.

With offshore wind development growing along the eastern seaboard, it was a fun opportunity for chamber leaders to learn about the tremendous economic benefits this new industry offers.

In a tour organized Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the National Wildlife Federation, chamber leaders learned about the benefits expected to accrue over the next decade to Massachusetts alone, including:

6,870 to 9,850 new jobs
$1.4 to $2.1 billion in investment
Economic opportunities for nearly 20 communities along the supply chain.

They also heard from several chamber colleagues. Check out the photos and quotes below.

photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.com

““The emerging offshore wind industry has the potential to generate approximately $680 million in annual property tax payments, as well as support approximately 160,000 jobs by 2050. That is good news for communities up and down the supply chain,” said Rick Kidder, President and CEO of the SouthCoast Chamber of Commerce. (Kidder is pictured above right, next to Jack Lank, President and CEO, United Regional Chamber.)”

““The Blackstone Valley Chamber sees great opportunity in offshore wind and supports efforts to keep Massachusetts competitive in this growing industry which will in turn help keep and grow manufacturing jobs in our state,” said Jeannie Hebert, President and CEO of the Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce.”

““As the President of the New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, I can say that we know offshore wind is on the mind of a lot of our members,” said Jane Garibay, who is also the Executive Director of the Windsor Chamber in Connecticut. “We support the local economic development opportunities that clean energy offers.””

photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.comBill White, Senior Director of Offshore Wind Sector Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center — photography by Sergio badmonkeypics@outlook.com
Bill White, Senior Director of Offshore Wind Sector Development, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Worcester Chamber CEO Uses TV Platform to Encourage Energy Savings

Tim Murray, the Worcester Regional Chamber CEO (and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts) recently shined his spotlight on how the chamber’s 2,300 member businesses can save money with energy efficiency.

Speaking on the TV program, Chamber Exchange, on Charter TV3, Murray noted that energy costs are among the top three issues that member businesses care about in New England.

While welcoming the rise in renewable energy, Murray also noted: “Often, one of the best things you can do is be more efficient with the energy you use.”

Murray interviewed Rick Galipeau, president of World Energy Efficiency Services, an energy services company with offices in Massachusetts and Connecticut, who described the business investment in efficiency as a “no brainer.”

Here’s how it works:

World Energy provides a free energy assessment as part of the Mass Save program and identifies opportunities to cut down on energy waste.
The utility will pay up to 70% of the cost of the project and finance the balance at 0% interest for 2 years.
For most companies this means no out of pocket costs and positive cash flow by making a couple of minor changes.

You can watch the video here.

Chambers for Innovation 7/27/15 Chambers for Innovation 7/27/15

10 + Local Chambers in MA Join Solar Affinity Partnership

More than 10 local chambers of commerce in Massachusetts are partnering with EnergySage Inc. to offer their member businesses an innovative and user-friendly online solar marketplace to shop for solar power. For chambers, this is a new non-dues revenue program, with chambers receiving donations when their member companies install solar.

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and EnergySage launched a partnership in 2014 for local chambers to help their member companies install solar panels more quickly while saving money.

Last year, the Metro South Chamber of Commerce in Brockton, MA, pioneered the partnership with EnergySage. In addition to making the program available for its member businesses, the Metro South Chamber decided to install solar panels on its own building, the location where Thomas Edison perfected one of his greatest lighting innovations in the late 1800s. The Cape Cod Chamber soon followed suit, offering the program to its member companies.

Chris Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber, was the catalyst in helping nine additional local chambers participate in CICE’s EnergySage partnership.

“Lowering costs, saving time and creating local jobs is a winning combination that strengthens our member businesses and increases profits,” he said. “The EnergySage process makes it easy for businesses to receive multiple quotes instantly, learn about tax credits and explore potential long-term gains.”

The EnergySage Marketplace provides instant estimates of the costs and savings of solar with various financing options and the ability to include local companies in any price comparisons.

Diane Doucette, Executive Director of Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, applauded Cooney’s efforts in reaching out to other area chambers.

“We launched our partnership with EnergySage knowing that it was a ‘win-win’ for local chambers and their member companies,” she said. “Chris is an enthusiastic ambassador, turning our vision into a reality across Massachusetts.”

New participating chambers include: the Fall River Area Chamber of Commerce, Blackstone Valley Chamber, North Suburban Chamber, Neponset Valley Chamber, Nashoba Valley Chamber, Stoughton Chamber, Taunton Area Chamber, Greater Chicopee Chamber, and North Central Chamber.

Chambers for Innovation 7/29/14 Chambers for Innovation 7/29/14

Chamber Leads Program to Deliver Solar Energy Savings to Members

The Metro South Chamber of Commerce in Brockton, Massachusetts, is housed in the building where Thomas Edison first perfected one of his greatest lighting innovations. Today, the Metro South Chamber is extending that history of energy innovation by pioneering a new national program designed to help local chambers of commerce and their member businesses take advantage of cost savings from installing solar energy.

The Metro South Chamber is the first local chamber to agree to participate in a new partnership between Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and EnergySage Inc. to help businesses use an innovative and user-friendly online solar marketplace to shop for solar. In addition to making the EnergySage program available for its member businesses, Chris Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber, plans on installing solar panels on the historic Edison building.

“Lowering costs, saving time, and creating local jobs is a winning combination that strengthens business and increases profits,” Cooney said. “The EnergySage process makes it easy for our chamber members to receive multiple quotes, learn about tax credits, and gauge potential long-term gains.”

Under the new partnership, EnergySage has agreed to make a donation – ranging from $250 for residential systems to up to $5,000 for large commercial systems – to the local chamber whose members install solar systems through the EnergySage Marketplace.

Through the partnership with CICE and EnergySage, chamber members will have access to the EnergySage Marketplace, a robust system that provides instant estimate of the costs and savings of solar with various financing options and the ability to include local companies in the price comparisons. Chamber businesses that create a free account on the EnergySage Solar Marketplace will receive quotes from multiple pre-screened and high quality solar installers, easing the process of shopping for the right solar system.

In a news release, EnergySage welcomed the partnership with CICE. “We understand that solar can be complex for building owners and this partnership offers a great opportunity to help these decision-makers choose solar with ease,” said John Gingrich, Head of Corporate Development at EnergySage.

Diane Doucette, Executive Director of CICE, called the partnership a “win-win” for local chambers and their member companies. “Chambers are always on the lookout for valuable no-cost services for member companies,” Doucette said. “Our EnergySage partnership offers the added benefit of providing chambers with commissions for helping their member companies.”

The portal for the CICE partnership with EnergySage can be found here. A news release about the program can be found here. The Metro South Chamber of Commerce can be found here.