Meister Consultants Group, Inc., an international sustainability consulting firm, released a report outlining policy changes states can enact to expand corporate access to advanced energy. The report identifies 11 states with a strong corporate presence where one or more policies has the potential to create opportunities for corporate competitiveness: Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, and Texas.

The report focuses on six policies that would enable companies to purchase advanced energy, and considers where these policies have the greatest potential to expand corporate access, assessing the regulatory and policy environment, potential market size for corporate purchases, and renewable energy potential of all 50 states.

The report, Opportunities to Increase Corporate Access to Advanced Energy: A National Brief, prepared for Advanced Energy Economy Institute, explains that for many companies, the ability to control energy costs and sources is a key factor when deciding where to locate or expand operations. Companies are specifically seeking opportunities to purchase advanced energy—often backed by internal sustainability goals.

"Providing opportunities for companies to access advanced energy is a win-win for states," said Graham Richard, CEO of Advanced Energy Economy, a national business organization, with which the AEE Institute is affiliated. "Adopting policies like those outlined in this report signal to companies that the state is open for business. That will unleash private investment in new energy infrastructure and drive economic growth in the state."

"Expanding renewable energy is a top priority for Microsoft, and we're committed to using more clean energy every year. That requires greater availability of renewable energy in the markets where we operate," said Rob Bernard, chief environmental strategist at Microsoft. "With the proper policies to expand renewable energy options, our activities can speed the clean energy transition."

"Renewable energy is an important way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprints, and in aggregate can have an enormous impact on our nation's carbon output," said Patrick Flynn, director of sustainability for Salesforce. "At Salesforce, we consider the environment a key stakeholder and have made a corporate commitment to power 100 percent of our operations with renewable energy."  

"As part of Honda's initiative to reduce its total impact on the environment, Honda is committed to the development and implementation of renewable energy projects throughout the company," said Steven Center, Vice President of the Environmental Business Development Office at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "Honda became the first U.S. automaker to utilize on-site wind power for a substantial portion of its energy use when two turbines began operation at Honda Transmission Manufacturing in Russells Point, Ohio. Similarly, a one-megawatt AC solar photovoltaic system was installed at Honda's parts distribution center in Windsor Locks, Connecticut to harness solar power for the facility. The company's commitment to renewable energy continues to be a driving force for the future."