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 10/3/18 Chambers for Innovation 10/3/18

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.

"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.

Chambers for Innovation 7/19/18 Chambers for Innovation 7/19/18

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:

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. .

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.

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 — 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.

Chambers for Innovation 6/21/18 Chambers for Innovation 6/21/18

Growing Economic Opportunities Would Flow from Clean Energy Bill, Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber CEO Says

The Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber was recently featured as an opinion editorial piece in the Pittsburgh Business Times applauding a new bipartisan bill heading for Gov. Wolf’s desk called Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE. The program, introduced as SB 234 by Senator Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/ Washington), makes good Pennsylvania-style common sense by enabling more businesses to take advantage of cost-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

"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’t cost taxpayers anything,” Chris Heck, CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce, recently wrote in The Pittsburgh Business Times. The bill was cosponsored by Sen. Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/ Washington) and Sen. Blake (D-Lackawana).

Read Heck's op-ed below.

Viewpoint: Clean-energy financing bill good for business

By Chris Heck

June 8, 2018

I’ll be frank. I’m an unapologetic advocate of what’s good for business and economic development in the Pittsburgh airport area. I’m immensely proud of our entire region’s efforts to become a center of world-class innovation. And when I see a “win-win” opportunity for business, economic development and this region, I consider it my mission and privilege to support it.

The clean energy-financing bill headed to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk is one of these winning and welcome opportunities. It will grow jobs, save businesses money, and, best of all, it won’t cost taxpayers anything.

Senate Bill 234, co-sponsored by Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/ Washington), would establish a program that makes sense by enabling more businesses to take advantage of cost-saving energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades.

This bipartisan legislation was overwhelmingly passed on the Senate floor earlier this year. And on May 23, the House also passed it by a wide 163-28 margin.

Known as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, or C-PACE, this bill would allow municipalities to establish voluntary programs to allow financing for energy upgrades with no upfront costs on new and existing buildings. They simply pay the loan back, over up to 20 years, as a portion of their property tax bill.

For commercial building owners, this means gaining the opportunity to access the growing number of clean energy innovations that can help them save on energy costs and increase the value of their properties.

For our region, it means more economic vitality and more jobs. An estimated 70,000 Pennsylvanians worked in energy efficiency and renewable energy in 2016, up 6 percent from 2015. Nearly half of these jobs are in the construction industry, and about one in five are in the construction industry, and about one in five are in manufacturing.

As recently as a decade ago, our region suffered as globalization and technology eroded the manufacturing industries that once defined us. Between 1970 and 1990, the City of Pittsburgh lost an estimated 100,000 steel jobs and unemployment hit a high of 18 percent.

But that was then. And this is now. Our region has been thriving because we have chosen not to look back but forward.

As the voice of the businesses in 34 communities across the Pittsburgh airport region, I know the value of innovation in this great area. I also know that it makes sense to seize every good, forward-thinking opportunity in front of us, including the one now awaiting signature on the governor’s desk.

Chris Heck is the president and CEO of the Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber of Commerce.

Chambers for Innovation 3/8/18 Chambers for Innovation 3/8/18

PA Senator, Geisinger Brief Local Chambers on Three New Bills

PA Local Chambers hear from Sen. Reschenthaler, Geisinger Health, about the clean energy economic opportunities emerging in the state this year, and what chamber should be ready for.

Pennsylvania’s Innovative Culture Continues

To some, Pennsylvania may be best known for its great historical significance—as home of the Liberty Bell and the place where the Declaration of Independence was signed and the U.S. Constitution drawn up.

But Pennsylvania has an equally strong history of innovation: being home to the nation’s first baseball stadium, first commercial broadcast station, and the world’s first high-speed, multi-lane highway to name just a few examples.

So perhaps not surprisingly a growing number of Pennsylvania leaders are now taking steps to seize the growing economic opportunities in energy innovation.

“This is a win-win for everyone,” PA Sen. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny/Washington) said in a recent briefing call with Local Chamber of Commerce Leaders from across the Keystone State.

Sen. Reschenthaler is a co-sponsor Senate Bill 234, which would allow municipalities to establish voluntary programs to provide financing for energy upgrades without any upfront costs. Known as Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE), property owners re-pay the financing through a property assessment. C-PACE is offered in enabling legislation is active in 33 states plus Washington, D.C.

SB 234 was overwhelmingly passed on the Senate floor 42-8 and is now being considered by the House Commerce Committee. Sen. Reschenthaler asked that Chamber leaders contact their legislators to voice their support. Read more about C-PACE.

“It’s about job creation in high paying fields such as electrical contractors, excavating, general construction, engineering, and so on,” Sen. Reschenthaler said. “It will lower energy costs for local businesses, increasing competitiveness.” Importantly, he added, the program uses funds from private institutions, not taxpayer dollars.

Asked why he became interested in CPACE, Reschenthaler said because he believes in energy independence and knows that renewables help contribute to that.

Geisinger Savings Through Efficiency

Co-hosted by the Columbia Montour Chamber, the briefing call was also an opportunity for Local Chamber leaders to hear from Geisinger Health, the largest health system in Pennsylvania, about how they are saving with energy efficiency.

“Energy is one of these topics that can benefit everyone,” said Al Neuner, VP of Facility Operations at Geisinger Health System. As a result of its investments in energy efficiency, Geisinger Hospital has saved $15 million in energy costs, Neuner said.

“And businesses do not have to be as large as Geisinger to benefit from energy efficiency—he noted, adding that it is very scalable and no-risk. Watch a video about Geisinger’s energy efficiency program.

“One of the things we can do as chambers is to play the role of conveyor and bring our business members, the community, the utility, and workforce development organizations together to exchange information so that clean energy, and clean energy workforce training is more relatable to all of our businesses and community members,” said Fred Gaffney, President of the Columbia Montour Chamber.

“There are people and resources there to help you pay for this,” he said, referring to Act 129, a law passed in 2008 to encourage energy efficiency and provides rebates for new appliances, lighting and windows and energy audits. Read more about Act 129.

A 2017 Public Utility Commission study found that Act 129 has delivered $6.4 billion in benefits for all electric consumers to date.

Growing Solar Jobs in PA

The speakers also briefed Local Chamber leaders on the recently passed Act 40, the Solar Jobs bill, aiming to limit state payments to out of state projects and grow jobs here in PA.

Ron Celentano, President of Pennsylvania’s Solar Energy Industry Association told the audience that up to 70 percent of the solar energy purchased in the state was coming from outside the state, said.

The new Solar Jobs bill corrected this by requiring that the solar come from within Pennsylvania.

“We see this as a great opportunity to have more solar jobs created within the state,” Celentano said. “And we’ve been seeing growth of solar jobs already since the passage.”

The call was co-hosted by the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy. Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy will continue to keep you informed as these issues move forward.

Learn more: Post-Gazette

Chambers for Innovation 2/5/18 Chambers for Innovation 2/5/18

“We have an opportunity to attract new jobs and investment in our region with clean energy,” says Chamber CEO

“We have an opportunity to attract new jobs and investment in our region with clean energy, all while continuing to support our existing energy resources that have helped make Indiana County what it is today,” said Chamber of Commerce President James Struzzi II.

With three coal-fired electric generation plants in Indiana County, there is no question that coal, along with natural gas, has been an important driver of the local economy in this central western region of Pennsylvania.

But the economic leaders of Indiana County also know a good new opportunity when they see one—and that is why the Indiana County Chamber of Commerce and others are positioning the county to attract more renewable energy technologies.

James Struzzi II, Indiana County Chamber President & CEO

Struzzi is on the steering committee of a Sustainable Economic Development Task Force, spearheaded by the Indiana County Commissioner’s office, and sponsored by the Indiana County Economic Development team. The task force is working on an action plan to drive more renewable energy use in the County.

The Chamber is also helping to facilitate a 2018 Sustainable Economy Summit that that recognizes that clean vehicles, grid development, energy efficiency and battery storage are among the fastest growing industries in the country. And in Pennsylvania, renewable energy jobs are growing faster than jobs in fossil fuel.

Stay tuned!

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

Lancaster Chamber Praises New PA Legislation That Keeps Solar Jobs in State, Offers $30 Million in Grants for Businesses

“The Lancaster Chamber applauds the bi-partisan efforts to support Pennsylvania’s manufacturing and solar deployment,” said Tom Baldrige, the Chamber’s President & CEO. “Several of our member companies will benefit from the new law and the $30 million for the Solar Energy Program. We hope to attract more solar manufacturing and development in the state and in our county,” he added.

In an effort to help develop and maintain solar jobs and manufacturing in Pennsylvania, new bipartisan legislation was recently passed and signed into law to do just that. Act 40 is designed to keep solar energy jobs within the Keystone State instead of sourcing them to neighboring states, as has been practice in recent years.

Additionally, $30 million in grants and loans is now available through the Solar Energy Program (SEP) to businesses that manufacture solar equipment, or generate or distribute solar power. The goal is to support Pennsylvania’s efforts to strengthen its position in the clean energy space.

“The Solar Energy Program is vital in our efforts to make Pennsylvania a leader in clean energy,” Governor Wolf said. “Developing new renewable energy sources including solar is critical to ensuring Pennsylvania has a balanced and diverse energy mix that maintains our position as a major energy producing state.”

Many local Pennsylvania chamber member businesses can benefit from the SEP as it provides financial assistance in the form of grant and loan funds to promote the use of solar energy in Pennsylvania.

Tom Baldrige, President & CEO, Lancaster Chamber

Home to over 1,400 solar installations, Lancaster County is sure to benefit from the SEP funds. The Lancaster Chamber, representing nearly 2,000 businesses, has applauded the new program.

A recently-released clean energy jobs report revealed that there are nearly 70,000 jobs in solar, wind and energy efficiency across Pennsylvania, with Lancaster snagging a spot in the top 10 counties boasting 3,100 jobs.

If your member companies are interested in applying for a SEP loan or grant they can visit the PA Dept. of Community and Economic Development page.

More Than 60 Local Chamber Leaders Learn How Clean Energy Policies Benefit Their Member Companies

At the recent Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) conference in Clarion, more than 60 local chambers learned how energy efficiency, home-grown solar energy, and innovative finance mechanisms can help save member companies money, and attract more investment and jobs to the Keystone state.

At the recent Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals (PACP) conference, more than 60 local chamber leaders discovered how energy efficiency, home-grown solar energy, and innovative finance mechanisms can help save member companies money, and attract more investment and jobs to the Keystone state.

Highlights include:

Energy efficiency: A practice that helps member companies save money every year.
- Read how Geisinger Health System is saving millions of dollars per year.
- Watch Geisinger's video on how they are saving with Act 129.
The Solar Border Bill: A bill recently passed the PA legislature that prioritizes the purchase of PA solar energy over the solar energy in neighboring states. This legislation will create more solar jobs and investment by closing a loophole that had PA ratepayers subsidizing solar energy and job creation in nearby states. This is important to the many chambers with member companies that sell, manufacture parts, or produce solar infrastructure.
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE): An innovative new financing mechanism that has been proposed to allow PA businesses to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades at no up-front cost. Nineteen states and Washington, D.C., currently have PACE programs; and there is PACE legislation in 33 states.
- The Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) bill, also known as SB 234, is co-sponsored by Sens. Blake (D-22) and Reschenthaler (R-37).
- Read about the $340 million in financing over the last seven years.

Local chambers also learned more about what chambers across Pennsylvania are doing to help their members thrive in the clean energy space. See:

Interested in learning more about how your chamber can benefit from the economic development opportunities of clean energy? Contact Kelly Henderson at khenderson@sfchamber.com.

Chambers for Innovation 9/28/17 Chambers for Innovation 9/28/17

PA Local Chambers Co-host Geisinger Tour with Legislators, Learn How Energy Efficiency Saves $15 Million Annually

Three local chambers—the Greater Susquehanna Valley, Central Pennsylvania and Columbia-Montour Chambers of Commerce— recently attended a tour last week of the Geisinger Advanced Energy Plant.

Three local chambers—the Greater Susquehanna Valley, Central Pennsylvania and Columbia-Montour Chambers of Commerce—attended a tour last week of the Geisinger Advanced Energy Plant.

Using state incentives, Geisinger was able to purchase energy-saving technologies that enable them to heat and cool the Danville campus at essentially no cost. "We are seeing annual savings of $15 million across all facilities" Geisinger Vice President Al Neuner said.

"While we usually approach energy conservation discussions with arguments related to reducing costs and improving our environment, to be able to point to Geisinger as a best practice gives our advocacy a strong local example along with renewed credibility," said Bob Garrett, President & CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce. "Efficiency lowers overhead, cleans our land, water and air and even saves lives. It's simply the right thing to do."

State Reps. Lynda Schlegel-Culver (R-108) of Sunbury, Fred Keller (R-85) of Kreamer, Kurt Masser (R-107) of Elysburg, and David Millard (R-109) of Bloomsburg, also attended the event.

Watch the ABC news report.

Read The Daily Item.

Learn more through the Geisinger fact sheet.

Interested in co-hosting similar tours with your member businesses? Please contact Kelly Henderson at khenderson@sfchamber.com

Pictured above from left to right: TeaJay Aikey, Finance & Membership Director, Central PA Chamber; Dale Moyer, Interim President & CEO, Central PA Chamber; Fred Gaffney, President, Columbia-Montour Chamber; Bob Garrett, President/CEO, Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber.

Chambers for Innovation 12/6/16 Chambers for Innovation 12/6/16

PA Local Chamber CEO Meets Legislators, Shares Support for Clean Energy

“There is no more important issue than energy,” Guy Ciarrocchi, the President and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, said after meeting recently with Republican State Representatives and business leaders to discuss energy innovation in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

“This issue impacts all of our businesses—and, their families, too. We support all efforts to create new technologies and clean energy,” added Ciarrocchi, former Chief of Staff to Lt. Governor Cawley.

Among the more than 800 member businesses of the Chester County Chamber is Exelon Corporation, the largest electric holding company in the United States, which has a strong commitment to clean energy.

“At Exelon, we believe clean affordable energy is the key to a brighter, more sustainable future,” the Fortune 100 company states.

The State of Energy Technology event, hosted by The Cleantech Alliance Mid-Atlantic, featured Rep. Patrick Meehan (R) and Ryan Costello (R).

Among other energy innovation leaders addressing the invitation-only audience were: Ravi Barot, CEO of OxiCool; Brett C. Thibodeau, President and CEO of Dynamic Energy USA; Mark Schweiker, Senior VP and Corporate Development Officer of Renmatix; and Greg Wolfe, Founder and CEO of Fischer Block. All are advancing energy innovation that also advances economic development.

Chambers for Innovation 8/24/16 Chambers for Innovation 8/24/16

PA Chambers Gather for Third Clean Energy Event

With Pennsylvania already having attracted $3.5 billion in clean energy investments—and committed to increasing renewable energy sales—it’s no wonder chamber executives and business leaders recently gathered for a third event in a year to learn about growing economic opportunities in this sector.

“This meeting was a good dialogue about renewable energy that needs to continue,” said Donna Siter, Executive Director of the Western Chester County Chamber.

More than 60 leaders from chambers, economic development agencies, and member businesses gathered to discuss the future of wind and solar energy at the Chester County Economic Development Council in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Highlights included:

Pennsylvania aims to generate 10 percent of its electricity through solar, according to Hayley Book, Deputy Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Many financial incentives are available (from rebates and grants to tax credits) that can help PA businesses become more competitive through energy savings. Learn more here.
With wind power costs having fallen about 66 percent since 2009, Pennsylvania has great potential for growth in this sector, which already supports an estimated 1,000 jobs in the state, said Abby Watson, Government Affairs and Communications Manager at the global wind energy organization, Gamesa.

The Smart Energy Initiative event was co-sponsored by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, A Renewable America, and other organizations.

Pictured above: Nancy Kunkle, Smart Energy Initiative (SEI) Program Manager; Hayley Book, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; Paul Speigel, Practical Energy Solutions and SEI Board Vice-Chair; Abby Watson, Gamesa and Women in Wind Energy; Steve Krug, Krug Architects and SEI Programming Committee Chair; Lisa Jacobson, Business Council for Sustainable Energy; Bill Ronayne, Delaware Valley Heating & Air Conditioning and SEI Board Chair.

Chambers for Innovation 6/8/16 Chambers for Innovation 6/8/16

Local PA Chambers Eye Economic Opportunities in Clean Energy

The 2,150-member Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry recently hosted a gathering on the economic opportunities of clean energy in partnership with the Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania, may conjure images of covered bridges and farmland but thanks to its chamber of commerce—which has twice been voted the nation’s top chamber—it is firmly focused on 21st century-style prosperity.

“We need to think long-term about diversifying energy sources to include clean energy,” said Tom Baldrige, President and CEO of the Lancaster Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Some three-dozen chamber and member company representatives attended the event. They learned about growing corporate demand for clean energy and the opportunity to attract new employers and investments through energy efficiency and renewables, such as wind and solar power.

Exelon and other Pennsylvania utilities and businesses are already moving forward with plans to diversify their energy supply: one of the goals of the Clean Power Plan, which also provides states with flexibility on how best to do so.

When asked at the chamber event if they agreed that any state plan should include cost-effective, market-based mechanisms to help businesses meet the state’s energy plan, respondents resoundingly said yes.

Pew Charitable Trusts named Pennsylvania as a “rising leader” in renewable energy investment in late 2014 after the state attracted $3.5 billion in private investments in renewables and energy efficiency. Over the coming decade, it is expected to generate another $17.7 billion in clean energy investments.

Chambers for Innovation 5/16/16 Chambers for Innovation 5/16/16

Home of “The Rock”, Lehigh Valley Chamber Focuses on Energy

Interest Has Definitely Grown, Says Chamber VP

Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, does everything big. It produces big stars, like “The Rock”; big businesses leaders, like Lee Iacocca, former chairman of the Chrysler Corporation; and very big chambers of commerce.

The Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce spans two states, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and is among the 10 largest local chambers in the nation. It has nearly 5,000 members who employ more than 200,000 people.

So it’s only fitting that when this Chamber took on energy, including in Pennsylvania—a state the Pew Charitable Trust recently characterized as a rising clean energy leader—it did so in a big way.

It started back in 2008 when, like much of the country, the Valley found itself in the midst of a financial meltdown.

“Everybody was paying attention to every expense known to man,” recalls John Hayes, who sits on the Chamber’s Board of Governors and is Senior Vice President and Chief Lending Officer of the New Tripoli Bank. “And I brought up the idea that we focus on energy.”

But in recent years, interest has grown significantly, says Michelle Griffin Young, the Chamber’s Vice President of Government Affairs.

Today, there is significant interest in the Chamber’s annual Energy & Environment Outlook and Expo; its Energy and Environment Committee; and its annual award to a member business that exemplify best energy practices.

For example, when the Chamber held its annual Energy & Environment Outlook and Expo event last year, more than 150 people came, including the state’s Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection John Quigley; Chairwoman of the PA Public Utility Commission Gladys Brown; and several Congressmen.

The Chamber’s now eight-year-old Energy and Environment Committee has also become popular through its work to identify energy innovations that can benefit small businesses; highlight success stories; and work with officials to educate the business community on clean energy options and incentives.

“It used to be us recruiting people to be on the committee,” “says Griffin Young. “Now it’s people hearing about it and asking us to join the committee.”

UPDATE: You can view the agenda and watch video of the 2023 Lehigh Valley Chamber Sustainability Summit here.

Chambers for Innovation 4/21/16 Chambers for Innovation 4/21/16

Central PA Chamber Grows Popular Energy Savings Program

The Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce hosts an increasingly popular annual competition that rewards businesses that are taking advantage of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related practices.

In the rural heart of Pennsylvania is an 111-year-old chamber of commerce that is enthusiastically helping its member businesses benefit from energy savings and celebrating those members that are leading the charge.

With coal country on one side and a university town on the other, the Central Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce hosts an increasingly popular annual competition that rewards businesses that are taking advantage of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and related practices.

President and CEO Bruce Smith Jr. sees the awards program as an opportunity to do what chambers of commerce do best: educate members about valuable new business practices, help make connections that save members money, and bring community and business members together.

“The program is growing and I want all our members to be a part,” said Smith. “It offers free PR and everyone wants that.”

The awards program began four years ago when Tea Jay Aikey, the Chamber’s Executive and Finance Assistant, encouraged businesses on Lawton Lane, where the Chamber is housed, to simply recycle. Many said they lacked the time or thought it would take too much effort.

That’s when Smith and Aikey realized their members would benefit from learning about energy savings and waste reduction practices. They began bringing in member businesses to demonstrate how these practices worked—and how much money members could save.

The chamber now asks members who wish to participate in the awards program nearly 30 questions about their efficiency, renewable energy, and transportation practices: something that, in itself, encourages members to think about how to save on energy.

“I was just checking our email this morning,” said Aikey, “and one of our local dentists told me he was considering installing solar. Our reminder to apply for an award got him thinking about it.”