How to Navigate and Lead in Clean Energy and Climate Discussions

"This is must reading for every chamber leader looking to engage in the rapidly growing opportunities associated with clean energy policy and development. Our members, from start-ups to major employers, are setting and surpassing bold clean energy, resilience, and climate goals and will increasingly look to chambers for leadership. Here is how chambers of commerce can support member businesses and lead on these issues." Christy Gillenwater, President & CEO, Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce, CICE Board member  Aaron Nelson, President & CEO, The Chamber for a Greater Chapel Hill-Carrboro, CICE Board Chair

Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations are claiming their seat at the table when it comes to clean energy policy, resilience, and climate discussions. Clean energy and climate are everyday conversations in the business and policy world. With solar and wind energy becoming the cheapest form of new electric generation, and 70 percent of Fortune 100 companies setting clean energy goals, the transition to sustainable energy is undeniable. Clean energy is cheap, in demand, creating jobs faster than any other industry, and generating billions of dollars of investments across the country.  During this year’s Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ (ACCE) Annual Chamber Innovation Summit, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE), was pleased to host a webinar featuring three chamber executives from across the country who spoke about leadership in clean energy and climate discussions. Moderated by Susan Munroe, Deputy Director at CICE, the panel featured: Jose Becerio, Sr. Manager, Global Energy 2.0, Greater Houston Partnership Nic Glover, Vice President of Advocacy, Tampa Chamber Ann Silver, President and CEO, Reno + Sparks Chamber  Chambers and communities feel it is very important to lead out on climate action, resilience and clean energy in order to be competitive with other communities. Nic Glover dove in head first by simply picking up the phone and connecting with other chambers he knew were doing good work in the clean energy space, saying, “One of the wonderful things that the chamber world has is each other.” Glover goes on to say that working with members and elected officials sets up the chamber to be the perfect voice for the business community when conveying policy to members and expressing needs of the business community to government officials. “I think it’s incredibly important that any chamber aligns itself with its local municipality and city officials,” says Ann Silver. The words ‘climate change’ used to be taboo, but throughout the years has been recognized by a majority of Americans as a threat to our economy and way of life. Carbon pricing is now supported by some of the most conservative business organizations and even the fossil fuel industry. This can create an opportunity for new businesses to emerge and take advantage of carbon taxes, and can lead to rapid energy diversification. Joe Beceiro says, “Even traditional oil and gas companies see their current business model as vulnerable and are looking to diversify their business models into new areas of energy.” Beceiro also expressed that federal incentives need to dramatically change and higher prices on carbon may be needed in order to develop sustainable business models.  Clean energy discussions can sometimes bring backlash from member businesses and industries hesitant of the transition to clean energy. “Any opportunity that we have to bring stakeholders from various impacted industries along early has been important in our success,” says Glover. “Bringing those stakeholders to the table so that you’re not developing people who are opposed to the chamber’s position but really have a voice in concert with the chamber. It doesn’t mean you’re going to win everybody over but you haven’t alienated them because you’ve listened, heard their concerns, and engaged them along the way,” says Silver.  Climate action and racial justice efforts go hand in hand in many communities across the country. Many times those impacted by extreme weather conditions are of low to moderate income families and minorities. “This is something that has risen to the top,” says Beceiro. Specifically in Houston “Mayor Turner’s climate action plan is specifically geared towards improving infrastructure and resiliency in low to moderate income communities.”  Becoming more environmentally conscious as a business has great benefits for growth and opportunities. Silver shared her chamber’s program that offered members a free green business certification class. Taught by experts in the community, the six week class honed in on what clean energy, and climate resilience and sustainability meant to each individual business. “The certification promoted businesses particularly among younger generations that want to know that a business is attentive to the environment,” says Silver.  One of the most essential functions of chambers is to advocate for strong economic business policy and legislation to help their communities thrive. Whether it’s EV infrastructure investment or advising members on why it’s good business to consider reducing its carbon footprint, or supporting a wind or solar project in the community, it’s all about supporting business growth, economic investment and job creation. Chambers not only need a seat at the table when making these critical decisions, but need to be seated at the head of the table leading them.  Watch the full webinar here.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Ryan Evans.

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Tampa Bay Chamber VP of Advocacy Writes Op-Ed on Importance of Clean Energy in the Business Community

Nic Glover, vice president of advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber composed this Op-Ed to illustrate the importance of clean energy and resiliency, and the role it plays in a vibrant business community. This editorial was published by the Tampa Bay Times on July 19, 2021.

Increasing clean energy and resilience for all Tampanians benefits our business ecosystem Tampa is among the fastest growing cities with community leaders and public officials who have a compelling and inclusive vision for the future, and even a Super Bowl title, back-to-back Stanley Cup championships, and an American League pennant.   Our community is looking ahead by prioritizing investments presented by the clean energy economy. By making resiliency a top priority, Florida’s business networks can ensure that the state’s business environment remains strong well into the future. As we make these investments, we must also uphold the highest standards of diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring that improvements, from weatherization and improving home insulation to EV charging stations and the redevelopment of brownfields, benefit everyone in our local communities, especially the historically underserved.   Clean energy and resilience have become integral measures of a region’s overall competitiveness. That’s a key reason for The Tampa Bay Chamber’s decision to include goals in its policy platform to advance them both and to engage the business community in supporting local action surrounding these priorities that are flexible, predictable, and durable.   The cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Orlando recently joined the Florida Race to Zero, a competition among Florida cities to reach carbon neutrality. The competition is helping to stimulate clean energy action while benefiting economies by creating more clean energy jobs and promoting economic competitiveness. Needless to say, the Chamber supports this initiative and the work of these cities’ governments.   We also recognize the important contribution of Water Street Tampa, a new urban community that promotes wellness and sustainability. The project serves as a living example of how clean energy efforts bring innovative solutions to the table – such as the community’s district cooling plant that significantly increases energy efficiency.   Clean energy and sustainable development attract major companies, which are more focused now than ever on meeting their emissions goals. When considering relocating to a new city – and bringing massive potential for local economic benefit – businesses consider whether they’ll have access to the renewable energy they seek.   For Florida cities to remain economic leaders, it’s necessary that they work together with their local communities and businesses to prioritize clean energy. It’s also necessary that we equitably include all communities in resilience initiatives, moving beyond historical practices that often fell short on environmental justice. The Tampa Bay Chamber is committed to keeping frontline communities top of mind and ensuring that no neighborhood is left behind.   Overall, Florida is doing well promoting legislation surrounding resiliency, but it is time for us all to be proactive instead of reactive. The business case supports a move towards clean energy, and I encourage other Florida chambers and businesses to implement programs that expand clean energy in their areas. Together, we can create a stronger, equitable, more innovative business environment that brings lasting benefits to cities across the state of Florida.   Nicholas Glover is the vice president of advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Daren Cheatham.

Read More Chambers for Innovation 7/28/21 Chambers for Innovation 7/28/21 Tampa Bay Chamber and Business Leaders Discuss Resilience, EVs and Clean Energy with State Senators

Soon after the Florida legislative session concluded, more than 50 Florida chambers of commerce executives and their member businesses participated in a dialogue recapping bills related to resilience, EV infrastructure, as well as discussing clean energy opportunities. Co-hosted by the Tampa Bay Chamber, Conservatives for Clean Energy and Advanced Energy Economy; the webinar was kicked off by Nic Glover, VP of Advocacy at the Tampa Bay Chamber, and featured Senator Brodeur (R-Seminole), Senator Brandes (R-Pinellas), and Scott Thomasson, President of Sunbelt Strategies. Both senators emphasized the need to strengthen resilience efforts in the face of climate change due to its impact on Florida’s economic competitiveness, especially regarding rising insurance rates for business owners. As Senator Brodeur pointed out "(Implementing) a uniform resiliency plan for the state in terms of sea level rise is so important. And why is that? The business community doesn’t like surprises. When we do this, we help stabilize insurance rates. We help promote tourism because we know what we are doing to mitigate risk. We have a more attractive business environment." They also recounted key legislation that was addressed in the last session and is likely to reappear in the future. Senator Brandes, who has been a champion for electric vehicles, pointed out that if Floridians are in the process of evacuating for a coming hurricane, they need adequate EV infrastructure in place to recharge while on the road. This is something that the state has initiated through the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Master Plan. The Senator also remarked, “At some juncture you’re going to have to allow for Power Purchase Agreements in Florida. Today you can put solar on your property, you can use it yourself, but if you sell it to your next-door neighbor because you have excess, now you are considered a utility.” Senator Brandes went on to explain that one of his proposed bills allowed a business to sell excess energy to a nearby business.  In summing up the previous legislative session, Senator Brodeur discussed bills he sponsored to support the expansion of renewable energy, including biogas. Senate Bill 896 on renewable energy passed and you can learn more about it here. Both senators are confident that the clean energy issues that were not passed, such as renewable energy targets, EV charger grant program, EV fees, and Solar Power Purchase Agreements, will resurface next session. They also provided a view to the 2022 session and clean energy legislation that may alleviate flooding, beach erosion, and address climate change.   Nic Glover highlighted the tremendous economic opportunities for chambers to engage in clean energy and resilience issues. “Why is the Tampa Bay Chamber interested in clean energy and climate resilience? Quite simply, we view the ideas of sustainability and resiliency as issues related to our region’s overall competitiveness” Glover commented. “Our Chamber wants to ensure that our members and the business community at large are informed and prepared to take full advantage of the opportunity that the new green economy represents.”   You can watch the recording of the briefing here. This Florida Politics article provides further information on the new resilience legislation. The resilience legislation better prepares Florida to deal with flooding, erosion, and disasters.

If you would like to learn more about clean energy opportunities in your community, please contact Daren Cheatham.

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Tampa Bay Chamber and Business Leaders Discuss Resilience, EVs and Clean Energy with State Senators