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.
Greater KC Metro Chamber Partners with Local Officials to form Metro KC Climate Action Coalition
The Greater Kansas City Metro Chamber and partners
come together
to create a comprehensive plan
addressing climate change in the Kansas City area
The Metro KC Climate Action Coalition, formed in January, 2019, is a broad stakeholder coalition of elected officials, the Greater Kansas City Metro Chamber, and other local partners that came together to begin working on a comprehensive, local effort to address climate change in the surrounding Kansas City area.
The four priorities of the coalition are to:
Draft a regional climate action plan
Develop a state legislative platform for climate action
Create a policy playbook for of solutions that can be implemented by municipal elected leaders
Facilitate an annual Climate Action Summit
In December of 2019, the coalition released a Climate Action KC Playbook. This detailed policy and best practices manual highlights a broad scope of solutions for municipal governments to reduce greenhouse gasses. Strategies within the playbook include energy efficiency, clean energy implementation, recycling, transportation, and more. The Climate Action Playbook can be found here.
Additionally, approximately 500 people attended the coalition's inaugural Climate Action Summit held last March. The event focused on how individuals as well as area cities can do their part to improve quality of life via emissions reductions and take meaningful steps to mitigate climate change. The Greater KC Metro Chamber sponsored and moderated a panel discussion on The Business Case for Sustainability that featured panelists from several major employers in the region.
More about the coalition can be found here:
More about the Summit can be found here.
Reno + Sparks Chambers Partners to Produce "City of Reno Sustainability and Climate Action Plan"
As a member of the City of Reno's Climate and Sustainability Committee, the Reno + Sparks Chamber worked with other committee members for more than a year to produce a 52 page plan which shows the city's commitment to develop, adopt and implement ambitious and measurable actions to reduce climate pollution. Well-focused initiatives on sustainability promise to strengthen Reno’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading cities.
The actions outlined in the plan will protect cornerstones of the Reno-area economy and provide for new economic opportunities and the creation of new jobs. Actions will also enhance the lives of residents every day — from more shade trees along city streets to walkable neighborhoods that create safety and a sense of community.
"This comprehensive plan that includes strategies such as carbon-free neighborhoods, green building standards, transitioning to more clean energy, and climate resistance signals the city's dedication to being a world class city and will certain open up more economic development for our community," said Ann Silver, CEO of the Reno + Sparks Chamber. "At the Chamber we realize the direct links between sustainability, quality of life, and the health of our economy"
Read the report here.
Massachusetts Chambers Encourage Federal Support for Vineyard Wind Project
Sixteen chamber CEOs and executive directors in Massachusetts recently sent a letter to Secretary Bernhardt at the U.S. Department of the Interior in support for Vineyard Wind, a development which was set to be America’s first major offshore wind project. The chambers sent the letter after an unexpected, last minute delay threatened the certainty of this development being built and urged the department to release the final Environmental Impact Statement for Vineyard Wind, as well as issue final permits so that construction can begin.
The proposed $2.8 billion wind farm off the coast of Massachusetts is expected to create thousands of new jobs and generate approximately $17 million in new state and local tax revenues. “As the first major offshore wind development in the country, Vineyard Wind represents the unlocking of a massive economic driver for our region and beyond. The pursuit of locally sourced energy captured by locally built offshore wind facilities is among the largest economic opportunities ever for our region,” wrote the chamber executives.
About offshore wind: The U.S. has vast offshore wind energy generation potential with estimates that offshore wind could produce more than 2,000 gigawatts of electricity, more than double the nation’s current electricity use. States, particularly along the East Coast are looking to capture the economic benefits of this new industry while delivering clean and reliable electricity to their residents.
Read the letter here.
Read more about Vineyard Wind and the delay of the project
Wind Tour with Toledo Blade, Ohio Governor's Office, Local Chamber, County Officials and More
A perfect, windy day to see a turbine up-close at EDP Renewables Timber Roads II in Paulding County.
From the top:
Jerry Zielke, Paulding County Economic Development Inc. Director;
LuAnne Cook, Office of the Governor NW Regional Liaison;
Mikayla Pieper, Paulding Chamber of Commerce Executive Director;
Erin Bowser, EDP Renewables;
Susan Munroe, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.
How much can clean energy development grow a region's economy? Quite a lot, as a Toledo Blade newspaper reporter and the Ohio Governor's regional representative got to find out in a day-long tour earlier this month by the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy in partnership with the Paulding Chamber of Commerce, school district superintendents, and economic development officials.
The day-long tour spotlighted a region of Ohio where several wind farms are already constructed and have been operating for several years. It provided a close look at how economic activity from wind power reaches far beyond the boundaries of wind farms into businesses, school districts, local governments, and community philanthropies. The wind farms benefit communities throughout Ohio that are located along the wind supply chain.
One of the most intriguing stops during the tour for Toledo Blade Reporter, Tom Henry, was an up-close look at Vantage's Nacelle Wind Power Generator Simulator.
"One of the highlights of the visit there was an $80,000, micro-sized wind turbine simulator that could help train future operators, or at least whet their appetites for mechanical science and physics," says Henry. The technician training program is right on time - since one of the top new jobs in the county is a wind turbine technician with an average salary of $54.360 according to U.S. Department of Labor Statistics.
Vantage Career Center offers a job training pathway for wind turbine technicians, a top job opportunity in the country with an average salary of $54,360
Another highlight of the tour included a visit to the new $4.5 million community center built by the Lincolnview School District with revenue from wind investments. Lincolnview is receiving $400,000 annually for 20 years from wind revenue. Superintendent Jeff Snyder noted that these steady payments allow the school district to plan for the long-term and to fund ambitious projects like the community center.
Lincolnview School District Community Center; built with revenue from wind investments.
In between stops, the tour also highlighted businesses receiving spin-off economic activity from wind farm construction and maintenance--including a hotel, cement plan, auto dealership, trucking company, and more.
See the Toledo Blade story and video here.
Popular Chamber Event Focuses on Economics of Wind, Solar Energy
“As a chamber, we are committed to fostering a thriving and sustainable local economy—and the economic development boost from clean energy development creates revenue and jobs that help us do that in ways that enhance our community’s quality of life,” said Bass.
Clean energy projects—including wind and solar—have brought some of the best economic news to the rural northeastern region of North Carolina in many years.
But local chamber leaders know that not everyone understands what a great economic story clean energy is.
That’s why Josh Bass, President of the Currituck Chamber of Commerce, decided to host an event to educate county commissioners, business leaders, landowners and others about it.
“As a chamber, we are committed to fostering a thriving and sustainable local economy—and the economic development boost from clean energy development creates revenue and jobs that help us do that in ways that enhance our community’s quality of life,” said Bass.
The event, which attracted more than 60 attendees, was organized by the Currituck Chamber, Currituck Cooperative Extension, the Currituck Republican and Democratic Parties, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.
“There has been a nearly $20 billion economic impact from clean energy projects in North Carolina since 2007,” said Jennifer Behr from Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy. And many of these benefits are going to economically challenged rural communities.
Currituck County will receive $500,000 in annual tax revenue alone from the local SunEnergy1 Solar Farm project. 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.
Read more in the Daily Advance.
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.
NC Capitol Event Connects 12 Legislators, 14 Chamber and Economic Development Leaders
When more than a dozen local chamber and economic development leaders met with legislators at the North Carolina State Capitol last month, one chamber leader made the reason for growing chamber interest in clean energy clear...
When more than a dozen local chamber and economic development leaders met with legislators at the North Carolina State Capitol last month, one chamber CEO explained why chambers are increasingly interested in new energy sources:
"We have a lot of wind and a lot of sun but not a lot of jobs," said Sharon Gibbs, President of the Hyde County Chamber of Commerce, a rural community three hours east of Raleigh.
That sentiment is echoed by other communities in North Carolina, where there is a desire to attract some of the growing clean energy jobs and investments that are going to other parts of North Carolina, and to other states. For example:
The Elizabeth City Area has reaped the benefits of more than $18 million in investments and $1.1 million annually in landowner payments and taxes from wind energy projects.
Currituck County has seen $500,000 in annual tax revenue that a new solar farm is bringing to the community.
In total, $6.4 billion in revenue and more than 34,000 jobs were brought to the state by clean energy in 2016, according to a NC Sustainable Energy Association report.
But when these 14 chamber and economic development leaders traveled to the capitol to meet with a dozen legislators for a briefing and luncheon conversation on the opportunities in clean energy, they also learned about some of the obstacles preventing further economic growth in this field.
Some North Carolina counties, for example, have imposed bans on solar development in 2017. And the legislature recently included a moratorium on wind development in the new energy reform bill, Competitive Energy Solutions for North Carolina (HB 589)—a move that would put an end to two planned wind projects worth $500 million in Tyrrell, Chowan, and Perquimans counties, said Katharine Kollins, President of the Southeastern Wind Coalition. In addition, Kollins estimates that the state lost the potential for another $2.5 billion from projects not yet proposed.
“All progression is met with resistance,” said Rep. Bob Steinburg (R-1, Chowan) whose district includes the counties that would benefit from the $500 million wind projects. “We are going to use this [clean energy] opportunity to better the lives of those in Northeastern North Carolina, or we are going to walk away from this opportunity and lose it forever.”
Clean Energy: A Hot Topic at Annual Ohio Chamber Conference
Chamber leaders demonstrated interest in state policies that support clean energy development. When asked in an informal survey if they agreed with Gov. Kasich’s recent comment that it is “unacceptable” for Ohio to maintain a freeze on renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, 90 percent of chamber leaders said yes.
“Igniting Chambers for the Future” was the theme of the meeting of Chamber of Commerce Executives of Ohio last month—and clean energy was one hot topic.
Sen. Portman’s Office kicked off the lunchtime speakers by talking about the economic benefits of energy efficiency and the Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act.
“This bill helps give employers more tools to save money,” Sen. Portman’s General Counsel Stephen White told chamber leaders. “It incentivizes private sector ideas while making the U.S. government adopt energy-saving measures.”
Chamber leaders also demonstrated interest in state policies that support clean energy development. When asked in an informal survey if they agreed with Gov. Kasich’s recent comment that it is “unacceptable” for Ohio to maintain a freeze on renewable energy and energy efficiency standards, 90 percent of chamber leaders said yes.
Table-to-table speed-meeting sessions followed in which Van Wert Chamber CEO Susan Munroe shared the many ways that wind energy has benefited her community.
“Wind development brings $7 million in new tax revenue—100 percent of which stays in Van Wert,” Munroe said. “Wind development brings $2 million a year to our schools, and $4 million cash crop to local farmers.”
On day two, leaders gathered for a special Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy session to learn more about the economic opportunities of clean energy.
“Energy efficiency has an immediate return on investment,” said Nicole Stika, Senior Director Energy Services for the Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE). “As soon as you flip the switch, you see savings.” COSE, part of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, offers programs to help chambers and members save on energy upgrades and costs.
Top 10 Featured Chambers in 2015
Want to know which chambers of commerce led the way in driving the economic development benefits of clean energy in 2015?
They spanned the nation—from Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Florida to Ohio, Kansas, Michigan and Utah and many other states—in their support of important projects, policies, and programs. Here are some of our favorites.
Want to know which chambers of commerce led the way in driving the economic development benefits of clean energy in 2015?
They spanned the nation—from Massachusetts, North Carolina, and Florida to Ohio, Kansas, Michigan and Utah and many other states—in their support of important projects, policies, and programs.
In fact, we had a hard time choosing our “Top 10” this year. But here are some of our favorites:
