The Council’s progress on advancing AZ’s clean energy economy
As Arizona’s premier networking and trade association for science and technology companies, the Arizona Technology Council is well positioned to mobilize Arizona technology companies in support of historic climate and clean energy investments, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Justice40 Initiative recently unveiled by the Biden administration. These policies and initiatives are not only critical in moving the United States towards the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, but also in solidifying Arizona’s role as a clean-energy leader that is home to technological innovators being paid generous wages and contributing to a thriving regional economy.
Our team worked to educate the Council’s 750+ member companies, as well as the statewide technology ecosystem and general public, on the benefits of climate action. The Council set out to accomplish this important work in several ways. Below are some highlights of our work over the past few months.
- Organized meetings with key state leaders and policymakers to emphasize the significance of clean energy investments
- Council President + CEO Steve Zylstra met with various members of Congress (including Sen. Kelly, Rep. Lesko and staff members for O’Halleran, Gallego and Kirkpatrick) in Washington, DC during the Technology Councils of North America (TECNA) DC Fly-In to help shape clean-energy technology policy at the federal level. See post on Twitter.
- Atlis Motor Vehicles, Bosch-Rexroth, ElectraMeccanica, KORE Power, Lucid Motors, Nikola Motors and Zero Electric Vehicles participated in a clean-energy roundtable with Senator Sinema at the senator’s office in central Phoenix. The roundtable was organized to request Senator Sinema’s leadership on historic clean-energy investments either as standalone legislation or as part of the Budget/Reconciliation process. See photo release issued by Senator Sinema’s office.
- Highlighted the economic benefits of securing and deploying federal climate and clean energy investments and shared with policymakers
- The Council submitted a June/July article submission for Green Living Magazine called “Is Lithium the Answer to a Better Energy Future?” (pg. 58-59). Written by Council President and CEO Steve Zylstra, the article discusses the role of lithium batteries in Arizona’s clean-energy evolution. The article explains the Carbon Reduction Program and the $3.1 billion allocated for battery-making and recycling programs in Arizona.
- AZTC partnered with Lindsay Gorrill, co-founder and CEO of AZTC member KORE Power, to co-author a Phoenix Business Journal article called “My View: Investing in clean energy creates more Arizona jobs and market stability”. A non-paywall version can be found HERE. The article argues that Arizona is ready for a clean-energy strategy that can help address climate change, create jobs and lessen our nation’s reliance on volatile, foreign fossil fuels. AZTC President and CEO Steve Zylstra sent the KORE Power collaboration article in the Phoenix Business Journal to Senator Sinema’s office, Senator Kelly’s office, Sandra Watson of the Arizona Commerce Authority and a group of clean-energy leaders that received the IIJA clean-energy snapshot.
- AZTC submitted an August article submission for Green Living Magazine (GLM) called “The Economic Benefits of Distributing EV Infrastructure Equitably”. Written by Council President and CEO Steve Zylstra and Council Director of Marketing + Communications Bianca Buliga, this article discusses the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and outlines the economic benefits of investing in clean energy and centering the distribution of EV charging infrastructure in equitable access. The article will likely go live in GLM in early August.
- Working with Public Policy Partners (P3) and Council members to shape and influence proactive clean energy and technology policy proposals emerging at the legislature
- In June, the Council’s Public Policy Committee met to discuss various public-policy initiatives, including clean-energy/technology policy proposals emerging at the state legislature.
- In July, the Council released its 2022 Vote TechSmart guide, a comprehensive overview of Arizona legislative candidates’ positions on key issues affecting the technology industry, including clean energy advancement. The guide includes endorsements based on each incumbent’s past voting records on technology industry issues, along with information collected from a written survey and over 50 legislative candidate interviews.
- Developing and launching digital ads in prominent Arizona media outlets in support of clean energy investments
- On June 14, Council President and CEO Steve Zylstra was featured in a video advocating for clean energy as a smart business practice. See video.
- Provided regular updates to our members about BIL, Justice40 and other clean energy initiatives on the Council’s blog
- The full clean-energy blog post recap for the month of May included blogs like: “Li-Cycle opens lithium-ion battery recycling facility in Gilbert”, “Phoenix businesses can receive loans to conserve water in their buildings” and “Officials seek answers for ‘uncertain’ energy future”.
- The full clean-energy blog post recap for the month of June included blogs like: “KORE Power acquires stake in Gilbert-based EV retrofit startup”, “Arizona lawmakers have passed 275 bills – only 1 relates to climate change” and “Climate change is not your fault, but that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook.”
- Publishing a monthly round-up article covering clean-energy news and updates on our blog and in our monthly TechTalk e-newsletter
- Sharing social media posts about clean energy initiatives on the Council’s social media channels
- The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will invest $7.5B to build out a network of EV chargers in the U.S. to fight #ClimateCrisis. We ask @ArizonaDOT Director John Halikowski to submit a strong #NEVI plan by 8/01 on behalf of Arizona’s consumers. https://bit.ly/3ljTHHC
- Flip to pages 58-59 of the May 2022 issue of @greenlivingaz to read why @aztechcouncil President and CEO @szylstra says Arizona is in a prime position to lead the transition to a clean-energy economy and end America’s dependence on foreign oil: https://bit.ly/3PECcQv
- The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is making a significant investment in drought resilience, including $8.3B for water infrastructure program and $1.4B for ecosystem restoration & resilience. We look forward to its implementation. https://on.doi.gov/3lbuHSP #BIL #Drought
- States across the U.S. have an opportunity to cut energy costs, preserve resources, and reduce the pollution that will cause future climate and health crises. That’s why we’re calling on Gov. @DougDucey to double down on energy efficiency programs. https://bit.ly/3wVg5Op
- A new report by @wradv @GridLabEnergy and @evolved_energy found by speeding up the timetable to fully adopt electric vehicles, #Arizona could reap significant health and economic benefits in the decades ahead. https://bit.ly/3GDRQaI @PNS_News
- Find out why @szylstra, @aztechcouncil president & CEO, and Lindsay Gorrill, @kore_power co-founder & CEO, insist that a clean-energy strategy can make AZ a national leader in green technology and create good jobs for generations to come: https://bit.ly/3xg9qNr
The Council has made substantial progress towards affecting change to advance clean energy solutions. The Council is confident that our continued work will move Arizona closer to achieving a more equitable, healthy and prosperous future.