The TAEBC delegation is back from a fruitful trip to Washington D.C. and plans are underway to make it an annual event for our members.

Thanks to Department of Energy Assistant Secretary Danielson and Congressman Fleischmann for inviting TAEBC to the American Energy & Manufacturing Competitiveness Summit and taking time to talk with our members about utilizing advanced energy as an economic development tool for Tennesseans.

TAEBC Charter member, ORNL received well-deserved recognition for its role in helping Local Motors manufacture the world’s first 3D printed, yes printed, car. This kind of innovation and collaboration shows Tennessee can gain its more than fair share of the $1.1 trillion global advanced energy market.

Our delegation spent a half-day meeting with the U.S. Department of Energy staff about program office priorities, the nation’s energy challenges and how TAEBC members can help DOE meet its goals and grow our state’s advanced energy economy. Especially a new goal that was announced at the American Energy & Manufacturing Competitiveness Summit – double our country’s energy productivity by 2030. Reaching this goal could add 1.3 million jobs and boost GDP by up to 2 percent. It goes without saying; TAEBC wants Tennessee to have its (more than) fair share of those jobs.

TAEBC also visited Senator Alexander, Senator Corker and Congressman Fleischmann to introduce them to TAEBC and let them know the organization is an educational resource for all things advanced energy. We are so pleased that members of Tennessee’s federal delegation share TAEBC’s vision of utilizing advanced energy as an economic development strategy.

TAEBC delegates left D.C. energized with information, tools and new ideas to foster the growth of Tennessee’s advanced energy technologies, companies and jobs. More to come on how TAEBC plans to turn the knowledge we gained in D.C. into actions that will grow our advanced energy economy.