Climate Power, Elemental Excelerator, and Emerson Collective Host Groundbreaking Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit Highlighting Billions of Federal Investments in Arizona

FRIDAY, APRIL 5, TUCSON, AZ – Today, the University of Arizona Tech Park in Tucson became a hub of innovation and strategic dialogue, hosting the Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit led by Climate Power, Elemental Excelerator, and Emerson Collective. The summit highlighted the transformative impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America Agenda, including the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and the CHIPS and Science Act, which has catalyzed private investment in clean technologies, fostered sustainable job creation, and promoted comprehensive community and economic growth. 

Mitch Landrieu, Former Senior Advisor to the President and Infrastructure Coordinator, emceed the event, and other speakers included U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, Governor Stephen Roe Lewis of the Gila River Indian Community, Blaise Caudill of the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency, and Heather Boushey, a member of the President’s Council of Economic Advisors. These leaders shared insights on the burgeoning clean economy and its benefits for Arizona and the nation at large.

“By securing historic investments in infrastructure, clean energy, climate resilience, and innovation, President Biden and Vice President Harris are building a clean economy that is uplifting communities across our nation,” said Mitch Landrieu. “Here in Arizona, that has resulted in more than $90 billion invested over just the last few years from the public and private sector to help make Arizona a hotbed of clean tech innovation, creating thousands of good jobs as we tackle the climate crisis.”

Through the Investing in America agenda, the largest climate investment in history, these initiatives have led to a clean energy and manufacturing boom, with $688 billion in private sector investment, expansion of clean energy manufacturing facilities, and over 260,000 new clean energy jobs created.

Specifically in Arizona, these federal investments have resulted in $8.6 billion in investment and the creation or advancement of 14,100 clean energy jobs, with significant investments in low-income and rural communities, contributing to job creation and clean energy advancements in the state.

“In Arizona, where we face severe droughts, extreme heat, and damaging wildfires, we know well that climate change is a challenge. But we also know it’s an opportunity to invest in solutions that ensure we leave a livable planet to the next generation, and no state is better prepared to seize this opportunity than Arizona,” said Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act, we’re building a clean economy that creates great-paying jobs, many of which don’t require a four-year degree. I’ll continue working with partners on the ground so Arizona can be at the center of researching, developing, and deploying the clean energy technologies of the future.”

“Tucson is a model of what is possible when a community comes together to confront the climate crisis with equity, creativity, and conviction,” said Tucson Mayor Regina Romero. “I am so proud to share stories of the work that we are doing in Tucson thanks to federal funding from the Biden-Harris administration to address the broader challenges and opportunities that define the era of climate action. My appreciation to Emerson Collective for bringing us together to celebrate the historic investments of the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Tucson embodies the resilience and innovation required to confront the climate crisis head-on.” 

The Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit showcased Arizona’s contributions to the national clean energy sector, spotlighting companies like ConnectDER, Dimensional Energy, and SOURCE Global, who are creating jobs in the state. Additionally, organizations like GRID Alternatives, Local First Arizona, and the Arizona Technology Council were highlighted for their efforts in helping Arizona take advantage of these historic federal investments. A series of panel discussions revolved around leveraging federal resources for climate technology, the economic impacts of the clean economy, and the significance of collaborative efforts in driving community and environmental progress.

“It’s inspiring to see the surging investment and real impact from President Biden’s clean energy plan on the ground in Arizona. Over $8.6 billion has been invested in clean technology projects and more than 14,100 new jobs have been created locally in just the last two years,” said Dawn Lippert, Founder & CEO of Elemental Excelerator. “The clean energy entrepreneurs and small businesses that Elemental supports are not only creating healthier communities, they’re also lowering costs for households and creating quality jobs for all Arizonans. We’re proud to be part of this work across the country, with hundreds of projects ready to deploy, and we see Arizona as a true leader in building a clean economy.”

“The Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to clean energy is turbocharging economic growth in Arizona,” said Climate Power Executive Director Lori Lodes. “Thanks to the affordable clean energy plan, Arizona’s communities are seeing billions in investments, over 14,000 new jobs, and the state is becoming a battery manufacturing powerhouse. Expanding clean energy benefits all Americans — and together we can create an inclusive economic boom that lowers energy costs, creates good-paying jobs, and makes our water safer to drink and our air safer to breathe.”

The summit underscored the importance of inclusive engagement, reflecting a commitment to building a resilient, clean economy that benefits diverse communities across Arizona and the United States. The event is the first in a series of gatherings across the country, including planned summits in the Midwest and Southeast, aimed at fostering a widespread coalition to champion the nation’s climate objectives.

After the summit, Senator Kelly, Mitch Landrieu, and Heather Boushey took a tour of Dimensional Energy’s sustainable aviation fuel facility located at the University of Arizona Tech Park. During the tour, participants saw how the clean tech startup is innovating and manufacturing the future of clean fuels in Tucson. 

The Tucson summit sends a strong message that collaboration, innovation, and active participation are crucial for advancing the clean economy and ensuring a sustainable future for all.

Additional information about the Clean Economy and Community Impact Summit, including a full list of speakers and panelists, can be found HERE.

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