Chamber Powerline: Volume 6 August 2022

Highlighting Chamber Innovation, Policy Updates, & Clean Energy News

Inflation Reduction Act - The Nation's Largest Investment in Clean Energy and Climate Action

Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) applauds the clean energy and climate provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The included provisions, of those that had been considered, are amongst the most impactful to further accelerate the clean energy economy, take meaningful steps to address climate change, and fight inflation. Read CICE's full statement here

Read CICE’s white paper on how the Investment Tax Credit extension included in the Inflation Reduction Act can help fight inflation. Read the white page here

State Fact Sheets: How the Inflation Reduction Act Lowers Energy Costs, Creates Jobs, and Tackles Climate Change Across America See how the IRA will impact your state here

Clean Energy Spotlight

U.S. Energy & Employment Jobs Report (USEER) The 2022 USEER analysis shows that energy jobs have rebounded, after sharply declining in 2020 due the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic fallout. Highlights include: Energy sector added 300,000+ jobs Jobs in carbon-reducing motor vehicles and component parts technologies grew a collective 25% in 2021 Jobs in net-zero emissions aligned areas made up approximately 40% of total energy jobs in 2021 Read the full report and fact sheet

Chambers In Action

Stories of leadership by chambers of commerce across the country

EV Industry in FL: The Electric Surge of EVs in the Sunshine State One of the most high-profile aspects of clean energy is the growth of electric vehicles. Nearly 200 people joined the Seminole County Chamber for an in-depth look at the state of the EV industry in Florida, including hearing from a panel of people in the industry moderated by the chamber’s CEO, State Senator Jason Brodeur. Read the full CIA here

Providing Leadership to the Growing Clean Energy Sector With 56k clean energy jobs (and growing) and $15B in capital investment, there is tremendous business opportunity in Arizona’s clean energy sector. The Tucson Metro Chamber is a great example of a local chamber leveraging the area's historical business strengths while capitalizing on growth in new sectors. Read the full CIA here

Renewable Energy Working Group, Clean Energy Panel, Transportation Innovation The Sanibel-Captiva Renewable Energy Working Group, a recently formed initiative, is a perfect demonstration of this mission. Chamber CEO John Lai, is one of several involved community leaders connecting local government, utilities, and the business community to develop actions needed to mitigate climate change by setting and pursuing clean energy goals.   Read the full CIA here

FL Clean Energy - Powering Workforce Development Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE) partnered with the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals to present a panel discussion, ‘Clean Energy - Powering Workforce Development’ at FACP’s bi-annual meeting on May 11, 2022. Read the full CIA here

Brooklyn Energy Summit & Expo The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is positioned to be a leader in developing a clean energy economy, and recently hosted a Brooklyn Energy Summit and Expo to talk about the city’s clean energy future. The chamber brought together community innovators and leaders to focus on workforce development, and discuss energy efficiency and savings.  Read the full CIA here

AZ Op-Ed: Corporate Sector Can Lead the Way in Securing Arizona's Clean Energy Future For several years, the corporate sector — with technology companies often leading the way — has set carbon emission goals and developed strategies to attain these. Most recently, this has moved from a differentiator to “the price of entry.” With increased public concern about climate change and Moody's Analytics already providing tools to assess a company’s climate risk, the business community’s attention to lowering emissions is intensifying even further.  Read the full Op-Ed here

Full Chambers in Action Archive

Public Policy Spotlight

The New US Climate Law Will Reduce Carbon Emissions and Make Electricity Less Expensive, Economists Say 9 Million Jobs from Climate Action: The Inflation Reduction Act Texas Fought Against ESG, Here's What it Cost Biden hosts roundtable on reconciliation bill with business leaders West Virginia lawmakers hear updates on deployment of solar development bill John Walsh: Ohio's leadership opportunity for the future of commercial electric vehicles is now Biden Administration Launches New Federal-State Offshore Wind Partnership to Grow American-Made Clean Energy N.C. Supreme Court rules in favor of solar access, against homeowners association Legislators pass bill to expand Rhode Island's offshore wind procurement President Biden teams with East Coast governors to boost offshore wind Biden-Harris Administration Proposes New Standards for National Electric Vehicle Charging Network

Upcoming Events

Charging West Virginia's Energy Future In-Person Event Monday, September 12, 2022 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM State Capital Complex The West Virginia Automobile Dealers, Environmental Defense Fund, OMEGA, Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, West Virginia Electric Auto Association, GreenPower, the West Virginia Office of Energy, and the National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium at WVU are coming together to discuss the impact of Electric Vehicles on the economy and environment in West Virginia. During the event, West Virginia’s thought leaders, including state legislators, will have the opportunity to view and test drive the latest models of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids. See full event details here RSVP to Brooke Dillow

North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association: Making Energy Work In-Person Conference October 25-27 Raleigh, North Carolina Join stakeholders from across the country to engage in thought-provoking discussion, networking opportunities, and thought leadership designed to shape policies that advance an accessible and affordable clean energy economy for all. This two-and-a-half-day conference will feature well-known keynote speakers, engaging breakout sessions, and numerous opportunities to network with colleagues, partners, customers, policymakers, and industry leading influencers. Register here

Past Events

Business Briefing: NC's Carbon Plan Process, What You Need to Know & How You Can Engage You may have heard about the North Carolina Carbon Plan, currently being developed and debated before the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC). With a Commission approval deadline of the end of the year, implementation of the Carbon Plan will undoubtedly impact your chamber members, most other NC businesses and North Carolinians. Watch the full webinar here

NC Offshore Wind & Fisheries Informational Webinar  Offshore Wind For North Carolina held an informational session to inform the recreational and commercial fishing communities in Southeastern North Carolina about offshore wind development and provide a forum to answer questions and foster dialogue between stakeholders. Watch the full webinar here

Moving Mountains: Energy, Climate, and National Security in WV The American Security Project hosted an event with the University of Charleston where their esteemed panelists examined the prospects, challenges, and opportunities for implementing renewable energy platforms in West Virginia as well as the energy, climate, and national security implications of the green transition. Watch the full webinar here

Communicating the Climate Crisis — Effective Messaging & Dispelling Disinformation The American Security Project hosted a discussion with a panel of experts, including Dr. Edward W. Maibach, a professor at George Mason University and the director of the University’s Center for Climate Change Communication; Dr. David Benac, a history professor at Western Michigan University with a focus on the intersection of the environment and history; and Dr. Anne Armstrong, a climate educator and lead author on Climate Change Communication: A Guide for Educators. ASP CEO Patrick Costello facilitated the discussion.   Watch the full webinar here

Clean Energy Economic Development News

Energy Provisions In The Inflation Reduction Act Last week Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which now heads to President Biden's desk to be signed into law. The bill has been championed as a "climate change bill", but it also allocates hundreds of billions of dollars over the next... Read more www.forbes.com From Coal To Clean Energy: Welcome To The New WV In the heart of coal country Appalachia, a new cross-sector coalition is positioned to lead the region, and perhaps even the country, in the transition to green energy. A potential implementation grant from the U.S. Read more www-forbes-com.cdn.ampproje...

Offshore wind projected to bring at least 14,000 jobs to ... The two proposed offshore wind projects in North Carolina are expected to bring between 14,000 and 28,000 jobs during the construction phase. They're located at the northern and southern ends of the state, with the Kittyhawk project to the north... Read more www.whqr.org U.S. produces more power from wind and solar than nuclear In April of this year sustainable wind and solar energy sources produced 17.96 percent more electricity than nuclear power plants, the first time the former have overtaken the latter in U.S. history. This surge in wind and solar-generated... Read more www-newsweek-com.cdn.amppro...

Clean Energy Resources

NEW Clean Energy Toolkit for Ohio Chambers of Commerce Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy announces the release of a new resource for Ohio chambers of commerce and economic development organizations to help engage their members and communities to help lead the way in the transition to a clean energy grid. Check out the toolkit here

Annual Report

If you are interested in co-branding any of the reports, CICE is happy to customize a copy with your logo or possibly include content relative to your region, if applicable.” Contact our communications team here. Clean Energy Jobs & Economic Impact Reports: Colorado West Virginia Florida North Carolina Arizona Ohio

Other Resources: Miami Carbon Competitiveness Report- 2021 Kentucky Solar Primer Ohio Senate Bill 52 Economic Development Impact

If you'd like to submit content for this newsletter or have questions for our team of clean energy experts, please email us at cicecoordinator@chambersforinnovation.com.