The 116th Congress takes office Jan. 3 amidst a partial government shutdown. How are energy programs impacted, and what’s next on the agenda once the current impasse is resolved?

Thank you to our members for making 2018 another great year for the Clean Energy Business Network. From policy victories to business growth to public education, here is a look back on what we have accomplished together in 2018 and a look ahead to 2019.

The fate of a short-term “continuing resolution” that would continue government funding through Feb. 8 is caught up in a disagreement between President Trump and Senate Democrats over funding for a U.S.-Mexico border wall. A clean energy “tax extenders” package that was initially expected to be included in this legislative vehicle is now likely to linger into 2019. CEBN encourages businesses to keep weighing in on their tax priorities so that we can demonstrate strong support for Congressional action heading into 2019.

The Farm Bill, which reauthorizes a variety of USDA programs to promote economic development across the country, expired at the end of September 2018. Several of these programs involve clean energy initiatives.
On December 20, the President signed the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which revises and funds programs under the Farm Bill for another 5 years.

This Q&A is the first in a series with organizations providing accreditation and training resources for clean energy professionals.

On November 26, the House Ways and Means Committee unveiled its draft of the Taxpayer First Act of 2018, which would retroactively extend several dozen tax credits that expired at the end of 2017 as well as make additional technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (comprehensive tax reform legislation enacted in December 2017). Here’s what clean energy businesses need to know about the proposal and how to engage.

The strength of British universities, accelerators and catapults, backed by government support, clear incentives and world-renowned professional and business services, perfectly positions the UK to support U.S. companies looking to grow globally. If you have clean energy technology, you should be thinking about the UK market.

Updated November 21, 2018 | Ruth McCormick, Director, State and Federal Affairs, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network

On Tuesday, November 6, 2018, voters decided the fate of 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, 35 seats in the U.S. Senate, 36 Gubernatorial races, and many state and local races. See the results of the 2018 Midterm Election and potential implications for clean energy policy.

October 23, 2018 | Lynn Abramson, President, Clean Energy Business Network

The CEBN is excited to launch a new website and premium business development tools to promote exposure and connections among businesses, corporations, investors, consultants, and others working across the clean energy industry. These resources include a clean energy funding database and searchable directory to promote business to business connections. Watch this 1-minute video to learn more.

October 9, 2018 │ Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network

Efficiency means doing more with less. The U.S. economy has done very well at this over the past decade. Since 2008, GDP has grown 17%, but energy use has shrunk 1.7%, according to the 2018 Sustainable Energy in America Factbook.

October 4, 2018 │ Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network

From Wichita, Kansas to Pittsboro, North Carolina, Clean Energy Business Network members across the nation hosted tours and events during National Clean Energy Week to promote awareness of the benefits of clean energy.

October 2, 2018 │ Andy Barnes, Program Manager, Clean Energy Business Network

CEBN President Lynn Abramson sat down with United States Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) on stage at a September 26 Policy Symposium celebrating National Clean Energy Week (Sep. 24-28). Sen. Heinrich offered his thoughts on the state of clean energy and the future of the sector in this conversation.