The call was sponsored by Vineyard Wind, whose team spoke about offshore wind in Connecticut (specifically workforce and supply chain development) and the Park City Wind Project. Vineyard Wind discussed the big role Connecticut can play in the burgeoning offshore wind industry due to its Bridgeport and New London ports and the opportunity for offshore wind to generate over $1 billion in economic development and 150,000 jobs on the east coast in the next few decades. Click for more information on the
Park City Wind project
.
Commissioner Katie Dykes relayed what the state government is doing to help Connecticut’s 160 local clean energy businesses survive and thrive during the economic downturn. The commissioner spoke about the important role energy efficiency will play in helping businesses save money and how offshore wind could provide financial stability to the state’s manufacturing industry. She also discussed the Administration’s priorities including offshore wind, incentivizing solar, and implementing the region-wide Transportation Climate Initiative (TCI) saying “Connecticut has long benefitted from regional and market-based approaches…We think TCI will be a positive way for Connecticut to support the infrastructure our businesses need.”
Green Bank’s Matt Macunas announced his organization’s new EV promotion, Charge Up CT Buildings, in which building owners who use Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing can get up to three free EV charging stations; discussed the Green Bank’s proposed C-PACE legislation; and educated attendees about the concept of a national green bank.
Finally State Senator Norm Needleman spoke to chamber executives about what to expect from this year’s legislative session, saying that the General Assembly’s Energy and Technology Committee, , which he chairs,has “aggressive clean energy goals” that include expanding battery storage and extending virtual net metering and that his team is “very committed to a greener future for Connecticut”.
In addition, chambers that co-hosted the briefing call shared their respective clean energy priorities:
Tony Sheridan of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut commented on their interest in offshore wind, “As a chamber, we are very excited about offshore wind and see it as a wonderful opportunity for the whole state."
“In Fairfield County we are riddled with transportation issues. We are a residential community and people commute to larger cities to work. Roads, highways and trains are overcrowded and not to mention emissions,” said Beverly Balaz of the Fairfield County Chamber. “If these could be fixed, I believe in our area that businesses would be more likely to consider moving and building here… As a chamber, we participated in an electric vehicle and readiness study to see how our businesses feel about EV deployment.”
“Our chamber was happy to participate in the very productive conference call with Commissioner Dykes, Matt Macunas, and Senator Needleman.” Said Jeff Pugliese, Vice President of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to being a constructive partner as these important conversations move forward”
For more information about other ways your chamber can be involved in clean energy opportunities, please concact Jessica Bergman
here
.
