Clean Energy Business Network Newsletter for March 6

Source: CEBN Newsletter, March 6, 2020

For this week, the Senate debates a major energy bill, CEBN’s clean energy funding sign on letter is still open, and $600K in cleantech funding is now up for grabs!  

FEATURED CONTENT  

For the first time in 12 years, Senators consider an energy bill
The American Energy Innovation Act of 2020 includes dozens of bills that have already passed the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee that focus on energy efficiency; renewable energy; energy storage; carbon capture, utilization, and storage; advanced nuclear; industrial and vehicle technologies; and grid modernization among other areas. After initial debate this week, Sen. Murkowski (R-AK) has negotiated a package of 18 amendments authored by various Senators, and the Senate will resume debate on Monday. Read our parent organization, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy’s, press release on the AEIA.  

TAKE ACTION

Support Federal Energy Programs Ahead of CEBN Meetings
The President’s budget request for fiscal year 2021 (FY2021), which begins Oct. 1, proposes an 8% cut to the Department of Energy and deeper cuts to several clean energy initiatives. Thirty CEBN member businesses will be holding meetings next week with Members of Congress and their staff in support of robust clean energy funding. We will personally deliver a letter signed by dozens of CEBN members to key Members of Congress. This is the final opportunity to sign onto this letter before we deliver it to Congressional offices.


FEDERAL POLICY UPDATE  

Senate energy committee OKs Trump FERC nominee 

The Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved, James Danly, the White House nominee for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Mr. Danly’s nomination now moves to the full Senate for consideration. FERC’s current 2:1 Republican to Democrat balance would shift to 3:1 with Danly’s approval until sitting Chairman McNamee departs FERC in June.  

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY
CalSEED applications are now open

CalSEED is a $24 million grant program created to help early stage California clean energy startups bring concepts and prototypes to market. Startups could receive up to $600,000 in grant funding. Apply & get your clean energy idea funded! Deadline: March 16

EVENTS
CxEnergy 2020: April 6-9 in San Diego, CA
CxEnergy is around the corner! With a 32-session, 4-track educational program, certification opportunities, a 50+ booth Expo Hall and plentiful networking opportunities, CxEnergy is the #1 conference for building commissioning, energy management, testing and technology professionals. Register now and use “CEBN10” to save 10%!

Venture Summit-West: March 23-24 in Santa Clara, CA
Featuring 1,300+ VCs, Corporate VCs, angel investors, industry execs and founders of venture backed, emerging and early stage companies. This year will again feature a dedicated Cleantech Track for Cleantech startups seeking capital and exposure, or an investor seeking new deals. Register Now & Save $450 off with discount code “CEBNVIP.”

Other Events and Activities:

ACORE: 2020 Policy Forum (Washington, DC) March 4

Berkeley Energy Institute: POWER Conference (Berkeley, CA) March 20

Sustainable Bus. Network: Clean Jobs Forum (Philadelphia, PA) March 26

SBDC: Puerto Rico Opportunity Zones Summit April 3

BNEF Summit (New York, NY) April 20-21

ENERGY NEWS
CA: CPUC sets 2030 GHG goal, triples storage, doubles solar
Utility Dive

FL: State utility commission OKs 1.5MW of community solar
Greentech Media

MN: Municipal utilities plan to be 80% carbon-free in 2030
Southern Municipal Power Agency

MD: Bill would replace state diesel/hybrid bus fleet with EVs
WTOP  

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