MA Lawmakers Discuss New Energy Legislation with Local Chambers

Massachusetts chambers and their member companies had an engaging dialogue with Rep. Golden (D – Lowell) and Sen. Pacheco (D – Taunton) on a Sept. 20th briefing call to learn more about the recently passed energy legislation, An Act to Promote Energy Diversity (H4568). Both legislators played key roles in the new legislation and are preparing for additional steps in 2017.

The major takeaways from the call were:

• The legislation aims to create a new offshore-wind industry in MA. The bill calls for 1600 MG of offshore wind energy and positions the Bay State to attract the investment and jobs associated with this new industry. Job growth is expected in the construction of the wind energy sites as well as in the manufacturing supply chain.  States along the eastern seaboard are vying to attract these investments.

• The energy storage provision in the legislation is a “game changer.”  Storing energy in batteries and other innovative technologies will help to lower energy costs and increase the reliability of the grid.

• The pairing of hydro and wind energy will result in the efficient utilization of transmission lines, which will help to lower costs.

• The legislation allows for Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE), a 100% voluntary finance mechanism that covers the up-front cost of energy improvements on commercial properties.

• This bill is just a first step and sets the framework for future legislation.

Both legislators said they will work on clean energy legislation in 2017 that will continue to move the Commonwealth into the future. Stay tuned!

To learn more about the legislation, click here.

26 Local Chambers in CT, and Governor, Show Strong Interest in Clean Energy

Breaking new ground, 26 local chambers of commerce—half of all chambers across Connecticut—gathered this month for a conversation about clean energy with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, the Connecticut Green Bank, and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

“Local chambers of commerce play an important role in helping Connecticut continue to prosper from the growing economic development opportunities of cleaner, cheaper, more reliable energy,” said Gov. Malloy.

Rich Brown, Vice President of the MetroHartford Alliance chamber and event cohost said: “We see clean energy as a great economic development opportunity that helps us retrain and attract businesses.”

As a result of the event:

“We have a growing number of member companies already working in clean energy, including our utilities, and more that are diversifying to capture the market for energy efficiency retrofits and renewable energy.”

— Rich Brown, VP Investor Relations, MetroHartford Alliance

• Nearly a dozen local chambers signed up to work with the Green Bank to inform their member businesses about affordable, long-term financing options through the Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program.

• The Hartford Chamber and Connecticut Economic Development Association kicked off this educational effort within a week of the event by bringing the Green Bank to its lunch- and-learn series.

• Several chambers signed up to learn more about Connecticut’s new 2016 Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES) to project future energy needs, ensure reliability, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels.

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also invited chambers to comment on the draft CES, which is expected to be released this fall.

“The voice of business has significant influence on our legislative discussion about energy efficiency,” added DEEP Deputy Commissioner Katie Scharf Dykes.” Sending your input in writing is invaluable to increasing funding for these programs and ensuring availability throughout the year.”

In addition to the MetroHartford Alliance, the event was cohosted by the Greater New Haven Chamber, Connecticut Green Bank, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

Pictured at top: Mackey Dykes, Vice President for C&I Programs, Connecticut Green Bank; Rebecca Nolan, Vice President, Global & Domestic Business Development, MetroHartford Alliance; CT Governor Dan Malloy; Jessica Bergman, New England Programs and Engagement Director, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy; Katie Dykes, Deputy Commissioner for Energy, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; Tony Rescigno, President and CEO, Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce; Rich Brown, Vice President of Investor Relations, MetroHartford Alliance.

Thanks to Local Chamber, More than 140 New Businesses Join Mass Save Program

The Newton-Needham Regional Chamber joined the Worcester Regional Chamber in the media spotlight last month when they filmed a local TV segment about their Newton Needham Business Energy $avers (NNBE$) program.

The segment, which featured Peter Smith, the Chamber’s Environment Committee Co-chair and a local business leader, focused on the significant savings local businesses are seeing from the chamber’s energy efficiency initiative, which helps member businesses take advantage of utility efficiency programs. The NNBE$ team is comprised of chamber volunteers, city representatives, the energy vendor, and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

“Reducing our carbon footprint is not just good for our planet, it can be good for the bottom line,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “I’m proud of our businesses here for the way they’ve embraced this initiative.”

Here were some highlights:

• The NNBE$ program works through Mass Save to provide free energy assessments to local businesses.

• The utility will pay up to 70 percent of the cost of the energy upgrade and offers zero percent financing for two years.

• More than 140 local businesses have participated, with 40 already having taken advantage advantage of the financing options with no out-of-pocket costs.

In June, Tim Murray, the Worcester Regional Chamber CEO (and former Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts) shined his spotlight on how the chamber’s 2,300 member businesses can save money with energy efficiency. Speaking on Charter TV3, Murray noted that energy costs are among the top three issues that member businesses care about in New England and encouraged them to invest in energy efficiency.

Watch the Newton-Needham Chamber spot here.

Watch the Worcester Chamber spot here.

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. 

98 Percent Of Chamber Executives Surveyed Support Clean Energy

“Wow!” one chamber President said at the annual conference of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives in Savannah, GA, last week. “I can’t believe how much interest in clean energy has grown.”

Ryan Evans, who recently left his position as Vice President of the Salt Lake Chamber to become President of the Utah Solar Energy Association, said, “Solar energy has a job creation mechanism like no other. In Utah, we have more employees in solar now than in coal, and more in solar than in our utilities.”

Marc Jordan, CEO and President of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber in South Carolina, a long-time advocate for offshore wind, said “Today, we don’t talk about economic development without the word ‘clean’ in it.”

Nicole Stika of the Greater Cleveland Partnership (GCP) and Council of Smaller Enterprises (COSE) in Ohio spoke about how they are helping member businesses avoid over $2 million in utility costs through energy efficiency programs.

Alison Van Dam of the Metro South Chamber in Massachusetts called the Chamber Solar Challenge project—which gives chambers an opportunity to earn $1,000 to $5,000 in non-dues revenue for every member business that signs up to install solar panels—a “win-win-win.” It drives down energy costs, creates jobs, and attracts new businesses as well as interest from millennials, she said.

And when asked, “From a business perspective, do you agree it makes good economic sense for your state to offer more renewable energy?” a resounding 98 percent of some 60 chambers executives surveyed answered “Yes”.

In other ACCE NEWS: Congratulations to Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy Advisory Council member Christy Gillenwater, President and CEO of the Southwest Indiana Chamber, which ACCE honored as a “Chamber of the Year.” 

Pictured at top: Aaron Nelson, Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber; Marc Jordan, North Myrtle Beach Chamber; Ryan Evans, Salt Lake Chamber.

Pictured above: Rebecca Guzy, Greater Akron Chamber; Diane Doucette, Executive Director, CICE.

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.

Local PA Chambers Eye Economic Opportunities in 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.

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.

“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.

GE’s $1B Energy Business Shares Limelight with Local Chamber

GE, which has been in the news for its imminent move to Boston, recently headlined the Newton-Needham Regional Chamber’s annual Green Business Breakfast that celebrates energy innovators.

The sold-out event featured Maryrose Sylvester, President and CEO of Current, powered by GE, a new $1 billion energy business built to transform the way we use energy.

Taking advantage of the ever-expanding Internet of Things, Current provides energy management software and a package of energy-related tools to businesses to offset overall power demands and costs.

“We hold this event annually to celebrate business that have taken extraordinary steps to reduce their carbon footprint, or introduced a green product or service,” said Chamber President Greg Reibman. “We hope the spotlight inspires others to follow suit.”

Trip Advisor, the travel website company based in Needham and Powerhouse Dynamics in Newton, received the Chamber’s top honors, with two other local businesses also taking home awards.

The Chamber also announced the Newton Business Energy Savers (NBE$), a partnership to help local businesses and nonprofits become more energy efficient. Funded by utility customers through Mass Saves, the program offers free energy assessments and incentive and financing options for energy upgrades for member companies.

NC Chambers & Military Focus on Clean Energy Growth

Lieutenant General Kenneth E. Eickmann was once responsible for a budget of $11 billion, a staff of 22,000, and some 2,800 programs for the U.S. Air Force.

He also was responsible for leading the federal rescue and recovery efforts following the 1995 bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City.

But when he came to North Carolina recently to brief chamber leaders from Durham, Raleigh, Wake Forest, Morrisville and elsewhere, it was because he was thinking about another critical component to national security: the one that depends on growing demand for clean energy.

“If the grid goes down, the [military] base goes down,” Eickmann said. Updating America’s electrical grid and allowing new energy technologies to emerge are essential to improved national security, he said.

More than 60 chamber and utility, business, and political leaders, including from Duke, Honeywell, North Carolina Electric Membership Corp., and Sens. Burr and Tillis’s office, attended the briefing on the new U.S. Military Advisory Board report, National Security and Assured Electrical Power.

The Military Board’s recommendation: “Seize the opportunity to build the new grid, smarter, better, and cleaner.”

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and Conservatives for Clean Energy cosponsored the event in partnership with the Greater Raleigh Chamber, Wake County Economic Development, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, Cleantech Cluster, the North Carolina Defense Business Association, and the North Carolina Military Business Center.

Pictured above: Ewan Pritchard, North Carolina State University, Aaron Nelson, Chapel Hill– Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Sarah Gaskell, Morrisville Chamber of Commerce, Gen. Ken Eickmann, (retired USAF), Ed White, RTRP Cleantech Cluster, Jenn Bosser, Research Triangle Regional Partnership, John Sidebotham, Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce / Wake County Economic Development, Jennifer Behr, Chambers for Innovation & Clean Energy.

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.

Ohio Chambers Talk Wind Energy During Capitol Visit

From a Columbus suburb (home to a new wind-powered Amazon data center) to the small village of Paulding (where a new wind farm will begin generating electricity in 2017) local chamber leaders trekked to Ohio’s capitol this month to tell Gov. Kasich and lawmakers how their communities have benefited from wind energy.

“For businesses, school districts, and taxpayers in rural communities like ours, wind power is an absolute blessing,” said Peggy Emerson, Executive Director of the Paulding Chamber of Commerce.

“Wind energy has been one of the biggest investments in Ohio and has the potential to contribute much more to Ohio’s future economic prosperity,” said Susan Munroe, President and CEO of the Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce. “We want to work with legislators to encourage further investment and job growth created with wind energy development.”

To date, wind energy has resulted in investments of more than $775 million in Ohio. This new “cash crop” delivers significant tax benefits to schools and other institutions, income to landowners and local supply chain businesses while supporting county services in communities able to host these wind farms.

This was the second visit by local chamber leaders to the state’s capitol in the past year. In a related trend, a growing number of businesses have encouraged lawmakers to establish reasonable “setback” provisions, which determine how far a wind turbine must be situated from the nearest property line.

In 2014, the Ohio legislature tripled the required distance for turbines — resulting in a near moratorium on wind farm development and investment. Meanwhile, corporations such as Amazon have announced increased demand for wind energy to power data centers in the state. And the Toledo-based Owens Corning in 2015 signed the largest wind power purchase agreement by an industrial company in the world—but had to source wind energy from Texas.

Amazon Wireless Services, Panasonic, Apex Clean Energy, First Solar, and other businesses also sent a letter to Gov. Kasich this month encouraging more reasonable rules.

The local chamber leaders took a more personal approach, sharing their stories in meetings with the Governor’s Office; Speaker Cliff Rosenberger’s Office, a half-dozen representatives, including Rep. Shaffer, Chair of the House Public Utilities Commission; and Senators Cliff Hite and Jay Hottinger.

Pictured above from left to right: Susan Munroe, President & CEO, Van Wert Area Chamber of Commerce; Former Ohio Rep. Jim Hoops; Eric Germann, President, Lincolnview Schools; Peggy Emerson, Executive Director, Paulding Chamber of Commerce; Brian Dicken, VP of Advocacy & Public Policy, Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Who Likes a Challenge Better than a Chamber CEO?

In Massachusetts, 11 local chambers immediately signed up for a new Chamber Solar Challenge as soon Chris Cooney, President and CEO of the Metro South Chamber, announced it at the annual Massachusetts Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (MACCE) meeting last month.

Many more chambers across the Commonwealth are expected to join the challenge this month.

Here’s how it works: The local chamber with the most businesses signed up to install solar by January 31, 2017 wins the challenge! There is significant non-dues revenue associated with the challenge and prizes. Read more about it here.

MACCE also served up a great energy panel that featured Commissioner Judith Judson of the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources and was moderated by the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce’s Stuart Loosemore. General Counsel and Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy.

Peter Rothstein, President of the Northeast Clean Energy Council, and Carolyn O’Connor, Director of External Affairs for Hydro-Québec, also joined the conversation—briefing chambers on solar net metering, grid modernization, and Massachusetts’ plan to increase the amount of renewables in the state’s energy mix.

Central PA Chamber Grows Popular Energy Savings Program

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.”

VA Local Chambers Say “100,000 Times Yes” to Clean Energy

During last month’s annual Virginia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives conference, local chamber leaders were asked: “Do you agree it makes good economic sense for Virginia to move forward with a plan to increase the use of clean energy?”

In completing the survey, one chamber executive answered with a check plus, one with three checks, and another with “100,000 times yes.” In all, 100 percent of the respondents answered positively.

The economic opportunity of clean energy was also the subject of a conference session moderated by the Roanoke Regional Chamber that attracted leaders of the Arlington, Bedford, Franklin-Southampton, Harrisonburg, Loudon County, Reston, and Radford chambers.

"Our chamber was pleased to moderate this conversation to explore how local chambers can attract new members and help existing ones save money with clean energy,” said Cally Smith, Vice President of Membership & Brand Strategy for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Following the conference, local chambers and member companies joined the Virginia Governor’s Advisor for Infrastructure and Development, Hayes Framme, for a conversation about the economic opportunities of clean energy. He invited chambers that want connect with the Virginia Division of Energy Agency to contact him at Hayes.Framme@governor.virginia.gov.

Tony Howard, President and CEO of the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce, kicked off the conversation with examples of how his chamber is helping his member companies prosper in the clean energy space.

In other related Virginia business developments:

• Microsoft announced an innovative public-private partnership with the Commonwealth and Dominion Virginia Power that will bring 20 megawatts of new solar energy, or enough to power 5,000 homes, onto the grid.

• McAuliffe also recently announced that he believes Amazon, Google, and Microsoft will only do business in states that can provide renewable energy to power their operations.”

Chamber Support for Wind Energy Blows Across State Lines

You know a project is good for economic development when chamber leaders cross state lines to support it—and that’s what happened around wind energy in North Carolina last week.

More than a dozen chamber and economic development leaders from the Tar Heel state, as well as South Carolina and Ohio, gathered to talk about the connection between wind energy and new jobs and investments in their communities. They were joined by NC Rep. Bob Steinburg (R) and more than 80 business and community leaders.

“My job is to support “buy local”, create jobs, and help the economy,” said Kelly Thorsby, Director of North Carolina’s Elizabeth City Area Chamber, which will soon be home to a new wind farm that will supply energy to Amazon and over $1 million annually to the local community. “And this project is doing all three.”

South Carolina’s Marc Jordan, President and CEO of the North Myrtle Beach Chamber, agreed, adding that he would like to see a friendly competition between North and South Carolina for renewable energy investments.

“It is about jobs, it is about quality of life,” said Jordan. “If you look in South Carolina, BMW, Boeing, and others have deadlines at which time they pledge to be 80 percent, 40 percent, 60 percent renewables.” That, he said, is why he is promoting offshore wind development in his community: because demand for renewables will only continue to grow.

Offering an Ohio perspective, Van Wert Area Chamber CEO Susan Munroe pointed to the ongoing benefits her community gains from development of a $600 million wind farm, including $2 million a year in new revenue for schools, high-paying jobs, and a new stream of income for area farmers.

“Beyond the huge initial investment, wind is a cash crop that reliably pays year after year, no matter what the conditions,” she said.

The event, which attracted about 80 public officials and business leaders, was organized by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy and the Southeast Area Wind Coalition.

Additional related media coverage can be found at the Virginian Pilot Online and the Daily Advance.

Learn more about the economic potential of wind development here.

Clean Energy: A Hot Topic at Annual Ohio Chamber Conference

“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.

Mickey Mouse and the Orlando Chamber on Energy Innovation

Leave it to Orlando, which boasts the world’s most popular vacation resort, to find some creative—if not downright magical—ways to benefit from clean energy and energy innovation.

Disney World and Duke Energy announced plans last fall for a new solar farm that will bear an uncanny resemblance to none other than Mickey Mouse.

But the Magic Kingdom (which is about twice as large as Manhattan and attracts some 52 million visitors a year) is not alone in its embrace of energy innovation.

In recent years, Orlando, Inc. (the Orlando Regional Chamber) has been working some of its own magic as a leader in energy efficiency—saving money, boosting economic development, and attracting other chambers that want to follow suit.

What motivates the chamber is a simple dollar-and cents analysis, said José A. Fajardo, Executive Vice President of Orlando, Inc.

“We recognize that energy efficiency not only reduces expenses, but also increases the asset value of our building, uses our resources efficiently, and reduces public health costs. And all of that creates investment money that can go back into the business community.”

Scott Fagan, the chamber’s Chief Operating Officer, estimates the chamber saves about $800 a month in energy costs since installing new efficient technologies. The local utility made the upfront $25,000 investment, allowing the chamber to pay it back over five years, interest-free.

For its efforts, Orlando, Inc. also recently won a prestigious Energy Star rating, ranking it among the top 25 percent high-performance buildings nationwide. In collaboration with Orlando’s business community and city government, it also advances a citywide efficiency initiative known as the City Energy Project.

“I see the Orlando Chamber as a megaphone for the financial returns for energy efficiency,” Fajardo said, adding that the chamber uses events to demonstrate how efficiency can benefit his chamber colleagues from across the region.

“Seeing what we did helps other local chambers get the information that allows them to go back to their chambers and say: ‘If Orlando can do it, so can we.’”

Learn more about Orlando, Inc.’s electric car program and summit highlighting the bottom line impact of energy efficiency.

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.

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.

In fact, we had a hard time choosing our “Top 10” this year. But here are some of our favorites:

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Kansas Chambers Lead Effort to Defend Renewable Energy from Legislative Attack

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Michigan Local Chamber VP Urges Legislature to Increase Clean Energy

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Orlando Chamber Co-hosts Summit, Highlights Bottom Line Impact of Energy Efficiency

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Denver Chamber Saves Money, Wins High Praise for Energy Efficient Leadership

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Lansing Chamber Promotes Low-cost Energy Efficiency Loans

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More than 10 Local Chambers in Massachusetts Join Solar Affinity Partnership

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In NC, Battery Plant Brings Jobs and New Life to Former Philip Morris Site

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Ohio Lawmakers Tell Chambers Wind Energy Bill Will Boost Local Economic Development

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Cleveland Chamber Launches Innovative Leasing Program that Helps Businesses Save on Energy Costs

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Salt Lake Chamber Welcomes Creation of 7,000 New Solar Jobs

Chamber Executives Line Up To Drive New Electric Vehicle

New England Chamber Executives got behind the wheel of the new Nissan electric vehicle at the recent New England Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives meeting (NEACCE) in New Hampshire.

Nissan provided the LEAF® ‎for a fun Drive-and-Ride event and shared information about how chambers, cities, and companies were purchasing electric vehicles at a discount while no longer having to pay at the pump for gas.

“I was surprised to experience how quiet the car was and how comfortable it was to drive,” said Roy Nascimento, President and CEO of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce. “I was even more surprised to see how affordable it would be someone to get one.”

Roy was not alone. And with state and federal incentives helping with the cost, local chambers can now purchase or lease electric vehicles at a fraction of the cost for a regular consumer.

The Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce took advantage of these reduced rates to lease an electric vehicle for one of their chamber executives. They also created a sponsorship program where member companies could pay to get their business logo on the car.

“Everyone gets excited when they see it,” said Stacey Bruzzese, President and CEO of the Greater Haverhill Chamber. “Not only has it more than paid for itself in gas savings and sponsorship dollars, but it has also gotten us a lot of press.”

Inspired by Greater Haverhill, many local Chambers are now looking into leasing electric vehicles, or getting a charging station to encourage more foot traffic to their businesses.

CICE organized the Drive-and-Ride event for NEACCE. If you would like to organize a similar event or learn more about getting a charging station at your chamber or leasing an electric vehicle, contact CICE’s Jessica Bergman at jbergman@sfchamber.com.