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 4/17/19 Chambers for Innovation 4/17/19

One of the country's top oil, gas and coal producing states embraces renewable energy.

States are not waiting for Washington D.C. to move forward to create the clean energy economy.

States are not waiting for Washington D.C. to move forward to create the clean energy economy. Last month New Mexico became the 3rd state, after Hawaii and California, to pass a bill requiring all electricity from public utilities to come from renewable energy sources. The bill passed both the NM House and Senate, then the Governor signed the bill.

The New Mexico State Association of Commerce and Industry (NMACI) supported the legislation. Rob Black, President and CEO of NMACI understands the economic need to transition the state to renewable energy while also protecting the workers in one of the nation’s major coal plants which is slated to close by 2022.

“The business community worked closely on the bill with legislators, utilities, labor, and local communities to balance the challenges and opportunities for our energy producing state to catalyze economic growth so that New Mexico leads the country in the 21st Century,” said Black. “It is a strategic balancing act for our state and we are heading in the right direction.”

To compensate for the loss of coal revenue, the bill sends $40 million to regions expected to lose coal production while also requiring that significant renewable energy generating capacity be built there.

“Public Utility Company of New Mexico (PNM) is ready to do our part by investing in a renewable energy infrastructure and leading-edge technologies to put New Mexico at the forefront of the inevitable global transition to sustainable energy”, said PNM President Pat Vincent-Collawn.

Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham advocated for the legislation and signed it on March 22. After the bill passed the House, Gov. Lujan Grisham released the following statement:

“When we were presented the chance to move toward cleaner sources of energy, we took it, boldly charting a course to a carbon-free future, permanently centering our commitment to lower emissions and setting an example for other states. Crucially, this legislation does not leave our neighbors in San Juan County behind, as we will provide millions for trainings and economic development.”

For more information see:

NM Sends 100% Renewable Energy Bill to Governor

New Mexico 100% Renewable Energy

Chambers for Innovation 7/12/18 Chambers for Innovation 7/12/18

10 Local Chambers Call on MA Lawmakers to Boost Commitment to Renewable Energy—Citing Economic Benefits

Ten local chamber leaders recently called on state lawmakers to increase the Commonwealth’s commitment to clean energy—saying it will send a positive market signal for investments. And their message is being heard in the media.

Ten local chamber leaders recently called on state lawmakers to increase the Commonwealth's commitment to clean energy--saying it will send a positive market signal for investments. And their message is being heard in the media.

“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 12/19/17 Chambers for Innovation 12/19/17

NC Chambers Say Wind, Solar Energy Are Critical to Rural Region

Four local chambers of commerce called on North Carolina’s General Assembly leadership last month to support the booming clean energy industry that represents some of the best economic news to reach the Northeastern part of the state in a long time.

“This renewable energy economy is thriving and is critical to our region, and we respectfully ask for your assistance in keeping these projects alive and thriving,” the Presidents and Executives of the Edenton-Chowan, Elizabeth City Area, Currituck, and Windsor-Bertie Chamber of Commerce wrote.

The state’s first utility-scale wind farm, the $400 million Amazon Wind Farm US East, is already the largest taxpayer in Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties. And Summit Farm Solar, one of nation’s largest solar projects, created more than 1,000 jobs during construction, supporting local economies across the region.

These mostly rural counties that include some of the state’s most economically challenged areas have struggled for decades to attract new jobs, business opportunities, and business investments.

Now, wind and solar energy are booming in their region, the chamber leaders wrote in a letter to Sen. Phil Berger, President Pro Tempore of the N.C. Senate and Rep. Tim Moore, Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives.

“We hope you will stand with us in support of the clean energy industry and foster its ongoing growth and expansion, allowing our region and state to reap the economic benefits,” they wrote.

To date, North Carolina’s clean energy industry has generated nearly $9 billion in investment, saved money for businesses and families, driven down costs of renewable energy and energy efficiency technology, and helped maintain clean air and water.

Read the letter from four chambers here.

Save the Date: February 8, 2018

Join the Currituck Chamber and local businesses for a panel discussion with leading energy experts to learn more about the renewable energy industry and how solar and wind energies are spurring economic growth North Carolina.

When: Thursday, Feb. 8, 2018

Where: The Currituck Chamber of Commerce

More information to come.

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.

Local Chambers, Communities Will Drive the Economic Opportunities of Clean Energy in 2017

The economic opportunities of clean energy help communities to be more competitive—by attracting greater investments to their regions, growing jobs, reducing costs, responding to demand, and attracting young talent.

Governor, Local Chamber CEOs are Positive about Opportunities for Clean Energy Growth in 2017

It all comes down to being competitive, local chamber CEOs from across the nation said in a briefing call last week that featured former Gov. Bill Ritter Jr. of Colorado.

That is why clean energy will continue to be a growing market in 2017—and why many local chambers of commerce will be at the forefront, advancing clean energy as an opportunity that is in the best interest of businesses in their regions.

Mainstream economic issue

“This is a mainstream economic development conversation now, and local chambers are in middle of that conversation because we are trusted conveners on issues that affect communities,” said Doug Luciani, CEO of TraverseConnect in Michigan, which cohosted the call.

“Local leadership and best practices are being set by communities,” he added. “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.”

“The economic opportunity has to do with job creation in the clean energy world,” said former Gov. Ritter, Director of the Center for the New Energy Economy at Colorado State University. And there has been tremendous progress at the local and state level over the past three months, he said.

Advances since the election

Clean energy job and investment growth have progressed in a number of states since the election, including:

In Illinois, the Governor (R) signed a significant energy bill that will reinvigorate the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, boost solar and wind investments and jobs, and cut energy costs statewide.
In Ohio, the Governor (R) vetoed a bill that would have extended a freeze on the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard, saying allowing it to continue would “undermine the progress” renewable energy companies have made in creating jobs in Ohio and amount to “self-inflicted damage to both our state’s near- and long-term economic competitiveness.”
In Michigan, the Governor (R) signed a bill to strengthen the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard—requiring the state to generate 15 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2021.
In Maryland, the Legislature passed a Clean Energy Jobs Act to ensure that the state get 25 percent of its electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar by 2020.
In New York, the Governor (D) announced a goal to phase out all coal-fired power plants by 2020.

Utilities, Corporations, and Chambers

“Utilities will also play key role in this clean energy transition,” Ritter said. “They are planning 20, 30, 40 years into the future.”

With a growing number of corporations committed to transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy—from tech giants Google, Facebook, and Apple to GM, Johnson & Johnson, and Nestle—clean energy job and investment growth will clearly go to states that can provide the renewables.

Local chambers can help by convening dialogues about how to meet growing demand and provide market certainty, and then taking their message to state capitols, said Ritter.

“Chambers of commerce have such significant influence inside so many statehouses,” he added; “it would really benefit all to have that conversation.”

Chambers for Innovation 11/10/16 Chambers for Innovation 11/10/16

70 Carolina Chamber Leaders and Rep. Saine Discuss How to Seize the Clean Energy Opportunity

As a Republican policymaker and a father, North Carolina Rep. Jason Saine told 70 chamber leaders last month that he wants his state to take advantage of a clean energy opportunity almost as great as California’s. But it will need better energy policies to make that happen.

“Knowing what we have and can offer in terms of our economy, we’re really ripe and look a lot like California,” Rep. Saine said. “We’ve just got to make sure we can convince legislators that we need policies in place that will reflect that.”

Rep. Saine addressed the audience of chamber leaders from North and South Carolina at the annual conference of the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives.

Karen Brown, President and CEO of the Outer Banks Chamber, said her chamber recently took an official position in support of offshore wind energy. “We’re always looking for clean energy and clean ways of doing things,” she said.

Question-and-answer highlights

Q: “What if your community does not yet have wind or solar projects? How can a chamber start the conversation?”

A: “You need to make the business case,” said Rep. Saine. As companies like Amazon, Google, and Facebook invest more in clean energy, talking about clean energy in terms of economic development makes sense, he said.

“But if we’re going to lure companies here, and we want to—we want to beat South Carolina because we both benefit from that competition—then we are going to have to adjust policies to accommodate that.”

Q: “How can a chamber maintain good relations with local power companies?”

“This is about incremental change,” said Maggie Clark, Southeast State Affairs Manager of SEIA, the Solar Energy Industries Association. “When you talk about it like that, I think utilities are most likely to accept that instead of a vast policy change.”

The panel, organized by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, was moderated by Aaron Nelson, CEO and President of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber, and also featured Katharine Kollins, President of the Southeastern Wind Coalition.

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 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.”

Chambers for Innovation 1/20/16 Chambers for Innovation 1/20/16

More Chamber Leaders Support Wind Energy

Citing what some have called the “staggering” economic benefits of wind energy, a growing number of local chamber of commerce leaders across the nation have publicly support wind projects in their communities over the past year.

For example:
In South Carolina: Marc Jordan president and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau last week reported that an offshore wind development project in his community could result in $17 million in annual economic development and hundreds of new jobs.

“We can also begin to factor in utility costs that are projected to continue to rise over the next few years and into the future,” he wrote. “And as these monthly power bills increase and technology closes the gap on wind as a lower cost option, this form of renewable energy just makes sense.” (More.)

In Ohio: More than a dozen chamber presidents, economic development officials, and others signed a public statement in November supporting wind energy. They cited Iberdrola’s $600 million Blue Creek Wind Farm project that pays $2 million annually in local taxes and nearly as much in landowner lease payments. (Later this month, Apex Clean Energy is also expected to celebrate the ribbon-cutting on their development office for a $800-900 million Long Prairie Wind farm project in Van Wert.)

“We have seen wind energy deliver extraordinary economic benefits to several Ohio communities. We know more communities could benefit from wind energy,” they wrote. (More.)

And in Michigan, local chamber VP Chad Gainor from the windy “Thumb” region of the state urged policymakers to increase support of renewable energy business—and encouraged more chamber leaders to speak up for clean energy. In a letter to the editor published by The Huron Daily Tribuneand testimony to the state legislature, he wrote:

“Investing in efficient, renewable energy,” he wrote, “will build upon our manufacturing strength and skill, allow us to retool our factories, attract growing companies and jobs to Michigan, encourage innovation, and put Michigan workers back on the job.” (More.)

With the U.S. Department of Labor having recently forecast wind turbine technicians to be the fastest growing occupation in the country—and growing demand for renewables from major corporations—look for support from local chamber leaders to continue in the year ahead.

Chambers for Innovation 5/19/15 Chambers for Innovation 5/19/15

Battery Plant Brings Jobs to Former Philip Morris Site

Alevo, a Swiss Energy Service Provider, purchased a former Philip Morris complex and plans to invest $1 billion to produce an innovative new battery technology that could prove a game-changer for the utility industry.

Five years ago, North Carolina’s Cabarrus County lost what was once the world’s largest cigarette factory, leaving a massive 2,500-job hole in the regional economy. But recently, Alevo, a Swiss Energy Service Provider, purchased the former Philip Morris complex and plans to invest $1 billion to produce an innovative new battery technology that could prove a game-changer for the utility industry.

“Alevo’s decision to locate here is the result of four years of hard work by a partnership of local business leaders, local, county and state economic development officials and the chamber,” said Patrick Coughlin, President of the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce. “This breakthrough battery technology will help our region continue to lead the country in the emerging clean energy economy,” Coughlin added.

Founded by Jostein Eikeland, a Norwegian entrepreneur who is credited with helping to develop cloud computing, Alevo plans to hire 500 people by the end of 2015 and reach employment level of 6,000 within three years.

The move adds to an impressive portfolio of major employers with clean energy priorities bringing their business to Cabarrus County. Recently, Amazon, which has a commitment to achieve 100 percent renewable energy usage in its global infrastructure footprint, also announced it will locate a new data center in Cabarrus.

Alevo, which purchased the 2,100-acre campus for $68 million without state or local incentives, is dedicated to solving what it describes as one of the world’s greatest energy challenges: the ability to store electricity and deliver it when and where it is needed.

Eikeland told local reporters that the company plans to begin production of energy reservoirs known as GridBanks that store and deliver electricity on demand across the grid. Alevo says its product will also help utilities implement more solar and wind generation by capturing power when it is generated and storing it for later use.

Chambers for Innovation 6/3/14 Chambers for Innovation 6/3/14

Local MI Chamber Creates Solar Manufacturing Hub

Working hand-in-hand with Saginaw Future, the economic development agency for Saginaw County, the two organizations decided to try to increase demand for solar in Michigan by working with local governments to streamline permitting processes for companies interested in installing renewables. They launched four “Solar Ready Community” pilot projects using the streamlined permitting processes and helped develop the infrastructure necessary for local businesses to install solar panels.

The Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce in Michigan prides itself on supporting its member companies. Several years ago, chamber leaders saw Hemlock Semiconductor, one of its largest members, ramp up investment in polycrystalline, a critical component of solar panels. Other chamber members such as Dow Corning Research and Dow Chemical were investing in solar as well.

“We reflected on how we could grow the solar business in Michigan,” said Veronica Horn, Executive Vice President, Government Affairs, at the Saginaw Chamber. “But then we learned that there’s more solar potential in Michigan then there is in Germany, one of the largest producers and consumers of solar power in the world.”

The program is working: other solar supply chain companies have moved into the region and Saginaw Future has built a large clean energy manufacturing park called Great Lakes Tech Park that serves as a business accelerator for clean tech.

The Saginaw Chamber can be found online here. Saginaw Future is here.

Chambers for Innovation 3/12/14 Chambers for Innovation 3/12/14

Local Chamber in Gadsden, Florida, Installs Solar System on Office Building

Demonstrating the power of local chambers to lead by establishing pilot projects, the Chamber of Gadsden County in Florida has announced plans to become the first business in its area to install a fully integrated solar energy system.

The chamber will install four solar panels capable of generating 1 kilowatt of energy on its building. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of incorporating a solar system into an existing building as an alternative energy source.

According to Independent Green Technologies, the company handling the installation, the parties have agreed to a barter relationship. The chamber gets a solar installation and Independent Green Technologies receives a membership to the Gadsden chamber.

The Gadsden Chamber is online here. Independent Green Technologies can be found here.