Grid reliability has always been an essential—if underappreciated—aspect of successful operations in manufacturing and energy-intensive industries. With trends in electrification and renewable energy on the rise, businesses have increasingly prioritized reliable energy supply as a key factor in investment decisions. In many cases, these same businesses want access to clean, locally-generated energy in order to meet corporate renewable procurement and efficiency goals. When comparing regions for the expansion or relocation of operations, companies may consider a region’s ability to provide these three energy attributes—1) clean, 2) local, and 3) reliable—as deciding factors.

In this discussion, chamber officials and industry professionals will discuss the imperative of grid reliability for attracting and retaining businesses, avenues to balance reliability with clean energy, and opportunities for public-private sector coordination to ensure modern, stable energy supply.

Speakers

• Bryn Baker, Senior Director, Market and Policy Innovation, Clean Energy Buyers Association

• Jose Beceiro, Director, Site Selection and Incentives Advisory, Kroll, LLC

• Kera Gautreau, Senior Director of the Houston Energy Transition Initiative, Greater Houston Partnership

• Zach McGuire, Director, Clean Energy Initiatives, Columbus Partnership; Executive Director, Columbus Region Green Fund

Join us for a virtual session focused on opportunities for businesses, states, and local communities associated with manufacturing investments along the EV supply chain.

With electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront of US efforts to remain competitive in global markets, businesses responsible for manufacturing key materials and components for EV manufacturing have become essential to the future automotive industry. As unprecedented federal support through new tax credits, grants, and loan programs drives automakers, battery producers, and component manufacturers to invest in US manufacturing, states and localities can leverage these investments to grow jobs, tax revenue, and skills development.  

In this virtual panel, industry and economic development officials will discuss opportunities to grow domestic EV supply chains and key factors affecting decisions to invest in regional growth. Speakers representing various stages of the EV supply chain will engage with economic development officials to offer lessons for states and counties seeking to attract their own investment.

Presenters:

• Jay Bellows, president of Kore Power

• Mark Herbison, president and CEO of HTL Advantage

• Marlé Fernandes, general manager, GGB Americas and Global Product, The Timken Company

• Emily Burlinghaus, director of policy and research, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy

• Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council (moderator)

Join us for a virtual session co-hosted by Arizona Forward, the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy.

Over the past few years, CICE has showcased the economic and financial opportunity in the clean energy sector and how Arizona has leveraged this opportunity to attract new businesses, create job opportunities, and mitigate climate change.

Fast forward to 2023 - Arizona has had much success, and more than one year into the implementation of the Inflation Reduction and Infrastructure Acts is advancing rapidly in the transition to clean energy.

This panel will be moderated by Kelly Barr, Chair of the Arizona Forward Board and former Strategy and Corporate Services and Sustainability Executive at Salt River Project and include opening remarks by Rob Elias, CEO of the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. During the session, we will provide a snapshot of where Arizona is today on several fronts:

• Business growth - the many announcements of manufacturing facilities coming to Arizona - Steven G. Zylstra, CEO and President, Arizona Technology Council

• Rapid development of a skilled workforce - filling the large number of jobs in battery and EV manufacturing and renewable energy projects - Joel Millman, Pinal County Workforce Development Manager

• Updated policies - state and federal government policies that support investment - Blaise Caudill, Policy Advisor on Energy for Governor Hobbs

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy is hosting a virtual debrief on Florida's 2023 state legislative session, with a focus on clean energy, sustainability, and resilience related bills. This debrief will update chamber and economic development executives on the bills that passed and the economic opportunities these bills present for your member businesses and communities.

A featured topic will be the new law requiring state agencies to consider the total cost of ownership in vehicle purchases. This requirement will be a catalyst for electrified transportation, since EVs have a much lower cost of ownership. As a result, it presents significant business opportunities for electricians installing chargers and car dealers selling EVs, as well as the supply chain supporting these businesses.  

Another key topic of discussion will be the Wildlife Corridor legislation, which will be critical to Florida’s sustainability efforts, and to supporting the state's economy. The protected lands covered in this legislation are within Highlands, Manatee, Osceola, Santa Rosa and Liberty counties. 

A rapidly growing number of organizations in Arizona are setting renewable energy and carbon reduction goals and developing strategies to reach them. This is as much financially-driven as emissions-driven and is attracting investment and job opportunities to Arizona. According to the Clean Energy Buyers Association, 2021 broke records for renewable energy corporate procurements. Along with economic development, this growth also poses supply chain and skill shortage challenges for Arizona.

During this session, you will learn about goals corporations and institutions are setting for clean energy. We will discuss how organizations plan to meet these goals and financial opportunities with the Inflation Reduction Act. You will also hear about investments the major utilities are making and the challenges they face in supporting the transition to a clean energy economy. 

Panelists:

• Trevor Ledbetter, Director, Office of Sustainability, University of Arizona

• Todd Komaromy, Director of Resource Planning, Arizona Public Service

• Grant Smedley, Director of Resource Planning, Acquisition & Development, Salt River Project

• Jonathan Simkins, VP, Planning & Administration Global Real Estate & Workplace Experience, American Express

• Todd Brady, Director of Global Public Affairs and Sustainability, Intel Corporation

• Moderator - Ryan Evans, Executive Director, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy

Hurricane Ian was a stark reminder of the increasing threat of weather events - but there were success stories that emerged.  Florida’s ability to learn from these will accelerate its ability to increase resilience.  Many have heard about the resilience of Babcock Ranch, which experienced Category 4 winds but sustained virtually no damage and never lost power. 

From Daytona Beach to Tampa and from Europe to Australia, Avalon Park Group is focused on sustainable communities, ones that use development models from around the world to reduce our dependance on carbon emissions and to utilize sustainable concepts.

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy is providing a unique opportunity for chamber leaders, developers, construction firms and the business community to learn about solutions for more resilient and sustainable developments, critical for communities across Florida. 

While most developments aren't on the scale of Babcock Ranch or Avalon Park, there are specific features developers and construction firms can utilize to illustrate their commitment to resilience to both government and community leaders. Rather than responding to government mandates, by taking proactive steps, your chamber and members can be leaders in reducing economic disruption from disasters. 

Panelists:

• Lucienne Pears, VP Economic and Business Development at Babcock Ranch

• Lisa Hall, Hall Media Strategies and Marketing Lead for Babcock Ranch

• Ross Halle, Senior Vice President, Avalon Park Group

• Panel moderator, Alan Byrd, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy

Co-hosted by: Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and The Sanibel Island and Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy will host a virtual briefing on the Inflation Reduction Act with expert panelists from Credit Suisse and clean energy industry leaders.

The session will:

• Share how clean energy provisions of the IRA can benefit existing businesses, create new business opportunities, and create jobs

• Demonstrate how businesses can increase energy reliability, efficiency, and meet emissions goals - all while saving money

• Include recommended ways for chambers of commerce to support their members in accessing IRA incentives and the available tools to do so

• Spotlight provisions of the bill with historical bipartisan support and demonstrated ROI and those that create a domestic clean energy supply chain and improve energy security in the U.S.

Featured Presenters:

• Betty Jiang, co-author of "The US Inflation Reduction Act - A Tipping Point in Climate Action", and head of ESG Research, Credit Suisse

• Walt Bussells, co-founder WayBright, LLC

• Katie Harris, legislative director, BlueGreen Alliance

• Steven G. Zylstra, president and CEO, Arizona Technology Council

Regardless of positions on the IRA prior to passage, local businesses will want to increase their competitiveness with knowledge of the incentives, capital, and financial savings associated with the clean energy aspects of the IRA.

In our recent webinar with the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals (FACP), we discussed : Electric Vehicle Funds, Net Metering 101, and an Update from Tallahassee.

💡 Bring on the EV Funds: The recent bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in Congress has millions of dollars waiting for your members and your region to utilize to build a true EV network. We have the experts to share how you can bring the money home.

Presented by:

• Congressman Darren Soto, D-FL-09

• Kimberly Rosier Jean-Louis, MBA, Operator, Orlando MBDA Business Center & CEO, 3D Strategic Management

• Rachael Kobb, Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications, Orlando Economic Partnership

💡 Net Metering 101: With more and more news coverage of how this issue affects thousands of jobs throughout Florida and your members, we’re providing you with need to know, background information for rooftop solar, the industry’s economic impact on the state, and some important aspects of the legislation that will ensure you’re prepared when your members ask for help.

Presented by:

• Ryan Evans, Executive Director, CICE

• Charles Yaros, Associate Consultant, Washington Economics Group

💡 An Update from Tallahassee: An overview of bills moving through the legislature that your chamber should monitor. These bills focus on resilience (funding and planning), electric vehicles, and more.

• Presented by: Scott Thomasson, President, Sunbelt Strategies

A forum for Ohio chamber of commerce and economic development leaders representing communities with utility-scale solar projects or upcoming project development.

Highlights: A look at key project development timelines at the local level and the state permitting timeline for utility-scale solar development. From the signing of landowner leases, to public meetings and town halls to the groundbreaking to a ribbon cutting to celebrate a project completion- what to expect and when to expect it.

Leading NC manufacturers and corporations know the future and it's electric. Join us virtually for a dialogue to drive a clear path to an electrified future in North Carolina. What’s next and will NC continue to build momentum?

NC is well-positioned to expand existing and attract new electric transportation companies and manufacturers that are delivering high-paying jobs, millions in investment, and new exporting opportunities. Encouraging this investment in NC is not only critical for the state but for the nation, as other countries are eager to claim the market. This is a distinct, do-not-miss opportunity for the state.

Event Details:

• Thursday, June 24, 9:00 - 10:00 A.M.

• Virtual via Zoom

• Speakers include:

• U.S. Senator Thom Tillis: Welcome and opening remarks followed by Q&A

• Three leading manufacturers: Hitachi ABB Power Grids, Eaton Corp., and Trane that have chosen North Carolina to invest in and manufacture their electrification technologies

• NC Chambers of Commerce welcoming the economic investment that these manufacturers bring to their communities including:

• Joe Bost, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Senior Vice President, Government Affairs

• Mark Lawson, Cary Chamber of Commerce Vice President - Economic Development

• Clark Duncan, Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Senior Vice President of Economic Development

Co-hosted by Conservatives for Clean Energy - North Carolina

A candid conversation with Senator Jeff Brandes, Senator Jason Brodeur, and Nicholas Glover VP of Advocacy for the Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, recapping the 2021 Florida Legislative Session.

In particular, the senators and other invited panelists will discuss the outcomes of:

• Resilient infrastructure

• Electric and autonomous vehicles bill

• Other clean energy related bills

As chambers of commerce and economic development professionals know, addressing coastal flooding, rising sea levels, and resilient infrastructure are critical to the Florida economy and have profound implications on Florida’s businesses. This is an opportunity to get first-hand information on resiliency and innovation focused legislation to share with your business community and position you to have a seat at the table for future discussions.

This briefing is exclusively for chamber CEOs, staff, board members, member businesses, and economic development professionals across the state. Hosted by Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, Tampa Bay Chamber, Conservatives for Clean Energy, and Advanced Energy Economy