Chamber Clean Energy Toolkit
Is your chamber at the table?
1. [Introduction][1]
2. [Toolkit Vision][2]
3. [The Power of Chambers][3]
4. [Getting Started- Toolkit Categories][4]
5. [Follow Up Contact][5]
Clean energy and climate are now topics of everyday conversation in the business and policy world. Solar and wind energy are the cheapest forms of new electric generation and in the next five years or so, data suggests that it will be more expensive to operate existing coal or natural gas power plants than to build new solar or wind farms. We are already in the midst of an energy transformation.
Additionally, more and more business organizations (even the most conservative) now acknowledge climate change as a significant threat to our economy, environment, and quality of life. Further, carbon pricing, once a third rail issue, is supported to some degree by the majority of fossil fuel industry associations as well as large industrial and manufacturing organizations.
“Clean energy is fundamental to the American economy, accounting for more than 75% of all new power brought online last year.”
“There are more than 255,000 workers in the U.S. solar industry with a growth rate of solar jobs five times faster than the overall job growth rate in the U.S.”
“Global renewable energy capacity grew by the fastest pace recorded in the last 20 years in 2023, which could put the world within reach of meeting a key climate target by the end of the decade”
Is the Voice of Business heard?
Whether you are fully engaged in clean energy or climate action, just dipping your toe in the waters, or watching from the sidelines, we hope this toolkit will help you find your seat at the table and help you advocate for what's important to your membership and community. A majority of Americans support advancement of clean energy, greater adoption of electric vehicles/infrastructure, and safeguards against extreme weather. This is an important policy issue for chambers of commerce to represent or lead out on.
To see the scope of the clean energy industry, please view CICE’s Jobs and Economic Impact Reports which highlights the significant impacts of clean energy investment in the state. If we haven’t highlighted your state yet, please refer to E2’s Clean Jobs America 2023 report for some helpful stats in your state.
Vision of the Clean Energy and Climate Toolkit
Equip chambers of commerce and economic development organizations with the latest in clean energy and climate related opportunities for their community and businesses. This includes example policies, programs, and events from chambers of commerce around the country as well as content to get chambers started engaging more in this space.
The Power of Chambers
The business voice is critical to ensuring communities implement good clean energy and climate policy. This toolkit will help chambers of commerce and other economic development partners, begin conversations to convey the priorities of the business community related to clean energy, sustainability, and/or climate action as well as to achieve identified goals.
Note: CICE supports strong clean energy policy that creates jobs, delivers capital investment, promotes a stronger economy, and benefits our environment. We do not support unnecessary mandates or regulations, nor policies that will harm an economy.
Chamber leadership in clean energy and climate will:
1. Save your city, municipality, county, community and businesses money by securing more predictable and lower utility expenses, as well as improving the resiliency of your community’s energy grid and power delivery to residents and businesses.
2. Build momentum to help the business community achieve success and save money.
3. Help shape your community’s clean energy plans to ensure your businesses’ priorities are heard and projected outcomes will improve doing business in your community.
3. Provide opportunities for the business community to partner and work side by side with elected officials.
4. Improve air quality and public health.
5. Position businesses to attract and keep a younger and skilled workforce, as well as position your region as a more attractive community for residents, employees, and corporations.
6. Make your community more competitive in site selection; communities that have implemented clean energy have an advantage in attracting companies.
“Clean energy and clean vehicle jobs in America grew 4 percent in 2022, bringing the total number of workers in renewable generation, energy efficiency, clean vehicles, battery and storage, grid modernization, and biofuels to more than 3.3 million. Clean energy now employs over 40 percent of all energy workers in America. ”
Getting Started
The following are examples and ideas for chamber programs and policies that can be implemented to advance your effectiveness in clean energy and climate discussions. Not only can a chamber draw awareness of clean energy and climate leadership via these ideas but each of the below can be a non-dues revenue source and help attract new members.
Please click into the following topics for suggestions and to see examples from chambers across the country.
Importance of Equity: Chambers who are at the forefront of successful implementation of clean energy goals will help lead their communities to create more equitable and healthier environments for all residents and businesses.
“In the Inflation Reduction Act’s first year, more than 100 new clean energy manufacturing facilities or factory expansions were announced, adding up to nearly $80B in new investment from private companies.”
Additional and Follow Up Information:
Please reach out to CICE at info@chambersforinnovation.com for any of the following:
For more information on any of the above toolkit suggestions or examples
For introductions to any of the example chambers listed above
If you have additional examples of chambers that should be highlighted within this toolkit.
“Annual renewable power generation surpassed nuclear generation for the first time in 2021 and coal generation for the first time in 2022.”