Finding your voice

If we’ve learned anything in recent years, it’s that clean energy is a policy-driven business. It requires its constituents to get involved.

That process can be exciting— but it can also be frustrating for a busy business executive. The political fray makes demands on your time with little warning and no certainty about the outcome. Joining a trade group or policy network makes sense, but to be effective, trade groups or policy networks still need your active participation.

Oregon leads the nation in clean energy jobs. The sector has created real economic opportunities for rural and urban areas, farmers, foresters, renewable developers, and many others. But clean-energy business owners around the state have told me that in order to move forward with many solar, small wind, wave, conservation, efficiency and electric vehicle projects we need incentives, subsidies, streamlined access to capital and other market drivers. If our current state programs die, many projects around the state will not be completed.

Some key examples of policy in Oregon include the Business Energy Tax Credit (BETC) which funds clean energy development; the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requiring that 25 percent of electricity come from renewable power; a three percent charge on our electricity rates that is used to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy; and a pilot “feed-in tariff” program requiring utilities to pay a fixed amount to solar energy providers that sell energy back to the electric grid. There are many more examples. All of these programs have been controversial in the legislature in recent years. Each has or can be critical for sectors of the clean energy economy.

Along with those existing policies, new ideas have emerged with even more potential to spur the clean-energy economy. Carbon emission caps, climate regulation, or any method of putting a price on carbon is directly associated with private funds for clean energy. A climate plan with stronger codes, goals or mandates coupled with new sources of public financing will create investment and innovation in this sector. Such policy would take strong advocacy, as other groups fight for the status quo, or compete for scarce public dollars.

Oregon is a leader — and to keep that leadership we need to continue the momentum for change.

If you agree, and you’re in the clean-energy business, consider spending 5 percent of your time engaged in policy advocacy. Working with other clean energy trade groups can create greater strength.

How should you get involved? What is the best use of time? Will your actions matter? Here are some ideas:

• Identify your vulnerabilities. What part of your business model is related to or dependent on policy? Do you have a preferential rate because of a state mandate? Do you take advantage of tax credits or subsidies? Watch the policies that affect you.
• Identify your opportunities. What part of your business could you grow if there was a new policy? What policies will drive new markets? With stronger codes would you get more work? With state investment, would there be more opportunities? Watch the policies that can drive business in your direction.
• Get involved in an association, a network, or several. Investigate carefully to ensure that the association you join is aligned with your business interests. Through your associations keep informed. Keep an eye on those issues that mean the most. Follow calls to action.

• Learn who is on which side. Understand the politics so that you know what is realistic and who is with you. Use this information to help determine which issues to involve yourself in. Are you concerned about how your partners or customers will react to your stance?
• Know that there is the right time to step up to the plate. Be realistic, but don’t be overly paralyzed by the fear of getting involved. Change does not happen without a push. Sometimes it can be uncomfortable and risky.
• Find the right level and take action: Often the right level is to talk to your own legislator or to write letters to the editor or opinion columns. Sometimes going to committee hearings or other forums is critical. With politics, timing is everything.

Your action will make a difference. Oregon is a state where every voice counts.

From SustainableBusinessOregon.com .