CEBN reaches high-water mark of 3,700 members, boosting its reach and impact

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE) and the Clean Energy Business Network (CEBN) are pleased to celebrate the third anniversary of their successful partnership, as of May 1, 2020. Now facing the collective challenges posted by COVID-19, this industry partnership is working together to address impacts and bring together recommendations for relief and recovery plans.

BCSE President Lisa Jacobson commented on the partnership:

“The Clean Energy Business Network brings the much-needed perspective of American small and medium-sized businesses to both policymakers and the BCSE coalition. Over the past three years, the BCSE and the CEBN have worked together to secure significant policy wins for clean energy industries. Our joint policy education and advocacy efforts are increasingly important today as we look to address the immediate and near-term impacts of COVID-19 on the economy.”

Lynn Abramson, CEBN’s President, reflected on the network’s progress while at the BCSE:

“The Clean Energy Business Network has expanded and strengthened its mission over the past three years — and has enhanced opportunities for clean energy businesses through policy support, market and technology education, and business development assistance. Our ranks have grown to a record high of 3,700 business leaders nationwide—more than 500 of whom have joined the community within the past year.”

Through its daily work the CEBN has helped small business leaders keep their fingers on the pulse of rapid developments in Washington and make their voices heard; communicated the breadth and benefits of clean energy solutions to the public, policymakers, and prospective clients; and we have helped small businesses reach target markets and grow.

Abramson notes, “Many businesses across the economy are hurting right now, and the clean energy sector is no exception. We will play our part in helping businesses navigate this trying time. Because of the challenges facing many businesses across the clean energy space, we have decided to open access to our clean energy funding database to the public.”

CEBN’s COVID-19 Resources

In the past 18 months since launching its funding database, the CEBN has announced more than $1 billion in funding opportunities ranging from grants and competitions for early-stage R&D to project capital for mature technology deployment. This database, to date, has only been accessible to CEBN’s premium members.

In addition to opening up access to its funding database, the CEBN recently unveiled a COVID-19 small business resource center, which aggregates federal, state, and other financial relief resources for businesses.

BCSE and CEBN have also launched a collaborative webinar series, Powering Forward, which examines the unique impacts facing clean energy industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with the vital role of our sectors will play in the economy’s recovery.

The CEBN was initially founded by The Pew Charitable Trusts in 2009 and in May 2017 became an independent, small business initiative of the BCSE, which was founded in 1992.

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CEBN is the small business voice for the clean energy economy, working to enhance opportunities for clean energy providers through policy support, market and technology education, and business development assistance.