JCI/Milken Host California Clean Energy FutureRoundtable - Bringing Together the Hottest New Green Businesses with the States Leading Stakeholders

By Ava Sanchez & Bailey Meyers

JCI Worldwide and the Milken Institute recently hosted the inaugural California Clean Energy Future Roundtable in Sacramento on August 6th, 2024, a convening of top business leaders in clean energy, state legislators, and influential figures in state policy.

The California Clean Energy Future Roundtable is a gathering of leaders from across business and government. The roundtable focused on how companies and legislators can leverage available funds and brainstorm how to facilitate progress in California’s manufacturing and clean energy deployment efforts to advance clean energy policy goals.

This day of vibrant conversation and innovation featured several accomplished speakers, including Tyson Eckerle of GO-Biz, Daniel Adler of IBank, Siva Gunda of the California Energy Commision, and a panel of 14 state legislators, then concluded with an evening of drinks and conversation at the Citizen Hotel.

In our first meeting with California legislators hosted by Senator Stern and Senator Becker, there were a total of 14 Senators and Assemblymembers in attendance. Our discussion included an overview of active bills, updates on budget and fiscal issues, and some important regulatory news. We also appreciated that attendees had the opportunity to ask the Senators and Assemblypersons questions while bringing their own ideas and challenges with legislation to the table.

Legislators in attendance included the following: Sen. Henry Stern, Sen. Josh Becker, Pro Tem Emeritus Toni Atkins, Sen. Scott Wiener, Sen. Ben Allen, Sen. Steve Padilla, Asm. Evan Low, Asm. Marc Berman, Asm. Phil Ting, Asm. Damon Connolly, Asm. Diane Papan, Asm. Eloise Reyes, and Asm. Steve Bennett.

During our time meeting with GO-Biz, Tyson Eckerle, Senior Advisor for Clean Infrastructure and Mobility, shared information and resources offered by GO-Biz, including guidance for businesses on how to best leverage existing resources like investments, grants, and tax benefits.

During a dynamic session with Dan Adler, Deputy Director for Climate Finance at California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, we discussed IBank’s core programs, including the Infrastructure State Revolving Fund Program, Climate Financing, Bond Financing Program, and Small Business Finance Center.

Our conversation with Vice Chair Siva Gunda at the California Energy Commission was frank and extremely positive. We discussed actionable steps toward California’s green energy future, including future opportunities for businesses and the CEC to collaborate towards a clean energy future.

JCI Worldwide would like to extend thanks to all speakers and attendees for their impactful work and for engaging in thoughtful, productive discussions focused on how to move clean energy forward in California. The JCI team is looking forward to contributing to further evolution in the clean energy space.

List of attending businesses:

Boeing/Wisk

Calwave

Camus Energy

Collaboration Energy

D4IR

Element Resources

Form Energy

Goodleap

GreenWealth

Heirloom Carbon

InCharge