Advanced Energy Perspectives

Yesterday, AEE Members met with Chris King, Democratic nominee for Florida lieutenant governor, and Chris Lipson, policy director for Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Gillum to discuss policies that could accelerate the adoption of advanced energy resources and growing the number of advanced energy jobs in Florida. The business representatives discussed policy mechanisms and regulatory initiatives that a Gillum administration could utilize to ensure that Floridians reap the economic benefits and cost savings of advanced energy technologies – such as growing the 160,000 jobs now supported by the advanced energy industry in Florida. AEE member companies met with Republican nominee Ron DeSantis in August, prior to the primary election.

In September, AEE’s Ohio team met with Secretary of State and Republican nominee for lieutenant governor Jon Husted and Michael Hall, policy director for Republican gubernatorial nominee Mike DeWine, as a part of a series of conversations with the gubernatorial campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the economic benefits associated with the advanced energy industry. Ohio AEE met with candidate DeWine himself in March.

In September, AEE Members and our Ohio team met with Richard Cordray, Democratic gubernatorial candidate, to build support for policies that accelerate the adoption of advanced energy resources and growing the number of good paying jobs in Ohio. The business representatives discussed policy mechanisms and regulatory initiatives that a Cordray administration could utilize to ensure that Ohioans reap the economic benefits and cost savings of advanced energy technologies. Although the advanced energy sector employs 112,000 Ohioans, much more can be done to capture the rapid growth of the industry.

On August 23, AEE and regional partner Interwest Energy Alliance held candidate roundtables in New Mexico with Democratic U.S. Rep. Michelle Lujan Grisham and staff of Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce. The businesses participating in the roundtable represented a diverse set of advanced energy technologies, including solar, wind, and storage. The group shared its vision to make New Mexico a more competitive and attractive state for advanced energy businesses.

On August 8, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) held a second gubernatorial candidate roundtable in Florida with Democrat Philip Levine, a businessman and former Mayor of Miami Beach. The businesses participating in the roundtable represented a diverse set of advanced energy technologies, including renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). The conversation was focused on strengthening the advanced energy industry in Florida, which now employs more than 160,000 people across the state. The group shared its vision to make Florida a more competitive state for attracting advanced energy businesses and provided insight on how the governor can work with stakeholders to make Florida’s grid more secure and resilient to natural disasters.