C2ES hosts regional roundtables to elevate the perspectives of diverse stakeholders deeply embedded in their communities and uniquely positioned to speak to the needs of their states and regions. These convenings are also meant to create opportunities to integrate local perspectives into state and federal policy contexts and identify concrete steps to better align the long-term vitality of these communities with the urgent task of facilitating economy-wide decarbonization.
These conversations bring together local, state, and federal policymakers; businesses of all sizes; community organizations and nonprofits; leading academics and issue experts; trade associations; labor groups; investors; and philanthropy. We have held more than a dozen roundtables to date in nearly every region of the country.
Deploying Long-Duration Energy Storage in Virginia
Our June 2024 event explored opportunities to develop and deploy long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies in Virginia. Topics for discussion included: the role of LDES in meeting Virginia’s clean energy targets; how LDES can support grid reliability, resource adequacy and community resilience; and how to ensure comprehensive, responsible community engagement and benefits in the development and deployment of clean energy projects.
Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Washington
Our April 2024 event explored federal policy solutions for the advancement of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Washington state and across the United States. Topics for discussion included: how Congress can improve existing federal SAF production tax credits and how they can interplay with existing state-level incentives; how Congress can address bottlenecks in SAF distribution by supporting the development of large-scale infrastructure, such as blending facilities and pipelines; what the federal government can do to catalyze private investment in SAF production; and how federal procurement of SAF can accelerate private sector production and support increased supply for the commercial aviation sector. Following the event, participants will join us on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to advocate for recommendations developed through the roundtable.
Energizing the Future Mobility Workforce in Michigan
Our February 2024 roundtable in Michigan explored the future mobility workforce in the transition to electric vehicles. Topics for discussion included: The current and future opportunities across Michigan for workers entering or re-entering the workforce in the electric vehicle supply chain; how companies and communities can work together to support expanded access to these opportunities across Michigan while meeting the present needs of companies; how policy can support the alignment of incentives to accelerate the development of a robust, ready future mobility workforce in Michigan; and what businesses, policymakers, and communities in Michigan can do to support the development of this industry and unlock its growth potential as a long-term driver of economic activity.
Michigan: Energizing the Future Mobility Workforce, 2024
Our February 2024 roundtable in Michigan explored the future mobility workforce in the transition to electric vehicles. Topics for discussion included: The current and future opportunities across Michigan for workers entering or re-entering the workforce in the electric vehicle supply chain; how companies and communities can work together to support expanded access to these opportunities across Michigan while meeting the present needs of companies; how policy can support the alignment of incentives to accelerate the development of a robust, ready future mobility workforce in Michigan; and what businesses, policymakers, and communities in Michigan can do to support the development of this industry and unlock its growth potential as a long-term driver of economic activity.
Ohio: Closing the Loop on the Circular Economy, 2023
Our December 2023 roundtable in Ohio explored opportunities relating to critical materials recycling from EV batteries, solar panels, and other clean energy products, and opportunities to develop a circular economy in the state. Topics for discussion included: opportunities to co-locate clean energy technology production, waste collection, and materials recycling in Ohio; physical and logistical infrastructure needs; policy solutions to support the alignment of incentives to make reclaiming, reusing, and/or recycling critical materials more economically attractive; and concrete steps for businesses, policymakers, and communities in Ohio to support the development of this industry and unlock its growth potential as a long-term driver of economic activity.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Blog
Michigan: Accelerating Vehicle Electrification in Michigan, 2022
Our Michigan roundtable explored vehicle electrification, including ways to accelerate the deployment of charging infrastructure to support a rapidly electrifying vehicle fleet, and how the changing needs of the electric vehicle industry will shape the automotive workforce of tomorrow.
Deploying Long-Duration Energy Storage in Virginia, 2024
Our June 2024 event explored opportunities to develop and deploy long-duration energy storage (LDES) technologies in Virginia. Topics for discussion included: the role of LDES in meeting Virginia’s clean energy targets; how LDES can support grid reliability, resource adequacy and community resilience; and how to ensure comprehensive, responsible community engagement and benefits in the development and deployment of clean energy projects.
Pennsylvania: Manufacturing a Decarbonized Future in Southwestern Pennsylvania, 2022
Our southwestern Pennsylvania roundtable explored what a climate-aligned and decarbonized future could look like for the region’s manufacturing sector. The conversation covered how to make the region an investment destination for low-carbon manufacturing, as well as how decarbonization could facilitate localized economic revitalization.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief
Louisiana: Securing Louisiana’s Role in a Decarbonized Future, 2022
Our Louisiana roundtable examined how the accelerating global shift toward low-carbon industry may impact Louisiana’s global competitiveness; how strategies to decarbonize industry can serve fence-line communities and the workers who power the state’s economy; and what steps need to be taken at the state and federal levels to align climate and economic objectives.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief
West Virginia: Aligning Climate and Economic Development, 2021
Our West Virginia roundtable considered ways to leverage West Virginia’s strengths to attract private investments that could create a vibrant and diversified economy that can thrive in a low-carbon future; barriers to investment; and how policymakers can partner with the private sector to address these barriers and support industry and economic growth in West Virginia.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Webinar
Texas: Getting to Zero, 2020
Our Texas roundtable in Houston explored the future of the oil and gas industry, the challenges of decarbonizing urban transportation, and opportunities to enhance U.S. industrial competitiveness.
Scaling Sustainable Aviation Fuel in Washington, 2024
Our April 2024 event explored federal policy solutions for the advancement of the sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) industry in Washington state and across the United States. Topics for discussion included: how Congress can improve existing federal SAF production tax credits and how they can interplay with existing state-level incentives; how Congress can address bottlenecks in SAF distribution by supporting the development of large-scale infrastructure, such as blending facilities and pipelines; what the federal government can do to catalyze private investment in SAF production; and how federal procurement of SAF can accelerate private sector production and support increased supply for the commercial aviation sector. Following the event, participants will join us on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., to advocate for recommendations developed through the roundtable.
Minnesota: Fueling a Low-Carbon Future, 2023
Our October 2023 roundtable in Minnesota explored opportunities relating to low-carbon fuel development, with a focus on biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel. Topics for discussion included: the outlook for an evolving low-carbon biofuel market; climate and environmental impacts and opportunities to improve sustainability; community-level considerations for low-carbon fuels projects and infrastructure; and demand-side opportunities for local and export markets.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Blog
Texas: Firing Up Clean Hydrogen, 2023
Our June 2023 roundtable in Texas explored the opportunity and the associated market, regulatory, and technological challenges of developing the clean hydrogen industry in Texas. Topics for discussion included: Texas’s comparative advantages in the hydrogen sector, and the impact of a diverse portfolio on the state’s competitive position; leveraging existing infrastructure for the near-term expansion of clean hydrogen; scaling up long-term demand for clean hydrogen; localizing positive impacts for communities and the workforce; and how federal, state, and local policies can facilitate private investment at scale in clean hydrogen production and utilization.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Factsheet | Blog
Utah: Fueling a Low-carbon Future: The Role of Hydrogen, 2021
Our Utah roundtable explored the growing interest in hydrogen in Utah, the challenges that must be addressed to realize the industry’s potential, and how investments in hydrogen innovation and infrastructure could spur economic development in the state.
Louisiana: Securing Louisiana’s Role in the Offshore Wind Industry, 2023
Our March 2023 roundtable in New Orleans, Louisiana, explored the economic opportunity that a thriving offshore wind industry could foster in the state. Discussion sessions included: Designing offshore wind projects for Gulf of Mexico conditions; Leveraging Louisiana’s existing expertise and assets for offshore wind; Mitigating and managing for environmental impacts; Ensuring effective community engagement and benefits sharing; and Connecting offshore wind power to users.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Blog
Virginia: Spinning the Mid-Atlantic Offshore Wind Industry into Economic Opportunity, 2022
Our first in-person roundtable, hosted in Virginia Beach, Virginia, explored the potential economic opportunity a thriving offshore wind industry could foster in the mid-Atlantic region. Discussion sections included: Securing the supply chain and developing a highly skilled workforce; Exploring environmental concerns; Pursuing local economic development through the growth of an offshore wind industry; Designing an effective, inclusive community engagement and consultation strategy; and building a cooperative regional policy environment.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief
Arizona: Building a Thriving, Clean and Equitable Economy, 2021
Our Arizona roundtable, in partnership with Arizona Thrives and Arizona Forward, explored the role of clean power in facilitating Arizona’s transition to an equitable, resilient, and low-carbon economy.
Roundtable Takeaways | Policy Brief | Blog
Ohio: Enhancing Industrial Competitiveness by Reducing Emissions, 2020
Our Columbus, Ohio roundtable explored solutions to industrial energy efficiency and clean thermal heat in the industrial sector.
Illinois: Decarbonizing Buildings, 2020
Our Illinois roundtable in Chicago explored energy efficiency and environmental justice in the residential building sector, as well as decarbonizing commercial and public buildings.
Wyoming: Direct Air Capture, 2023
Our May 2023 roundtable in Wyoming explored the economic opportunity of developing the direct air capture (DAC) industry in Wyoming. Discussion sessions include: Maximizing access to geological sequestration; Developing policies to facilitate private investment at scale in large-scale DAC projects; Exploring the energy requirements for DAC projects; Considering siting of DAC projects and associated electricity/thermal generation; and identifying economic opportunities associated with the potential development of a regional DAC hub.
Iowa: Soil Health and the Bioeconomy, 2020
Our Iowa roundtable in Des Moines explored solutions for enhancing soil health for profitability, water quality, and carbon sequestration and accelerating the bioeconomy.
Florida: Advancing Resilience and Economic Development in Southeast Florida, 2022
Our Southeast Florida roundtable focused on Miami explored opportunities to leverage economic development, public and private investment to bolster climate resilience in the region, as well as the ways in which proactive climate resilience measures can help attract and retain businesses in a thriving local economy.