US Representative Jennifer McClellan Joins Press Conference on Expansion of Green Business Alliance
Congresswoman McClellan praising Charlottesville-area-based companies’ climate action leadership (photo credit: Amanda Maglione)
This press release went public on Monday, May 15, 2023 at 11:30am
The Community Climate Collaborative (C3) announced the expansion of its Green Business Alliance today with the help of special guest U.S. Representative Jennifer McClellan. 26 Virginia-based businesses and non-profits have made a collective commitment to reduce emissions and advance our economy for a clean energy future. In 2021, the 16 founding members of the Green Business Alliance (GBA) committed to a collective emissions reduction target of 45% by 2025. This new cohort of 10 members has committed to a 35% emissions reduction by 2027. Each member also has an individual pledge to take action, ranging from a minimum of 30% and a maximum of 90%.
“Our GBA members aren’t making hollow pledges,” said C3 Executive Director, Susan Kruse. “They are coming to the table ready to take action and are achieving significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. C3 is here to support them every step of the way.”
"The vast majority of Virginia businesses have fewer than 500 employees, and they will play an important role in helping the Commonwealth meet its climate goals,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. “The Green Business Alliances demonstrates that small and medium-sized businesses can embrace climate leadership and take action in support of local, state, and national goals. I commend these businesses on their commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping lead us toward our ambitious climate goals.”
GBA members employ more than 3,300 employees, represent key industry sectors, and are recognized influencers statewide, nationally, and some internationally.
Green Business Alliance Members with Congresswoman McClellan from top left to bottom right: Coles Jennings (C3), Doug Horn (Martin Horn), Martin Chapman (InBio), Ryan Tully (Sun Tribe Solar), Ann Kingston (Red Light Management), Mark Goodwin (Apex Clean Energy), Anthony Smith (CATEC), Taylor Cope (InBio), Matt Hantzmon (Hexagon Energy), Rebecca Burtram (Hantzmon Wiebel), John Kluge (Thistlerock Mead Company), Susan Gruber (UVA Community Credit Union), Marty Colburn (CFA Institute), Scott Gillespie (QIM), Susan Kruse (C3), Danielle Taylor (Legal Aid Justice Center), Andrew Foukal (East Point Energy), DJ Gerken (SELC), Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, Sunshine Mathon (Piedmont Housing Alliance), Mark Hahn (Harvest Moon Catering) Photo credit: Amanda Maglione
QUOTES from GBA Members
“At UVA Community Credit Union, our mission is to strengthen the financial wellness of our members and the communities we serve. However, financial wellness is only one aspect of a life well-lived. We believe it is imperative to protect the environment which has been entrusted to us and to help create a healthier, more sustainable world for our communities. We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative!” Susan Gruber, Chief Executive Office, UVA Community Credit Union
“At Martin Horn, we're not just builders. We also care about the environment and our community. That's why we're joining the Green Business Alliance. It's a group of people who care about making the world a better place for the future. We want to learn from others, share our ideas, and work together to make a big difference for the environment.” Ted Horn, Chief Executive Officer, Martin Horn
“As an organization that tackles climate change, SELC has taken some big steps in recent years to cut the greenhouse gas emissions of our headquarters and Virginia office here in Charlottesville. We are excited to join the Green Business Alliance and to work with C3 and other local organizations and businesses to further reduce our collective climate footprint.” Sarah Francisco, Director, Southern Environmental Law Center’s Virginia Office
“At Hexagon, we work closely with communities across the US to develop renewable energy projects that deliver real, lasting environmental and economic benefits. As we work to deploy clean energy, we must also do our part to reduce our consumption. The Green Business Alliance leverages the amazing expertise found right here in our hometown to reduce our climate impact.” Drew Price, President and Chief Development Officer, Hexagon Energy
The Green Business Alliance now totals the following 26 companies (listed by employee size largest to smallest). To find out more about each business, please visit theclimatecollaborative.org/gba.
About the Community Climate Collaborative
The Community Climate Collaborative aims to bring communities together to lead on climate by working closely with schools, businesses, citizens, and local governments to implement carbon emissions reductions, develop climate action plans, and enact equitable policies that accelerate climate action. theclimatecollaborative.org
Press Contacts: Teri Strother, Director of Communications, Community Climate Collaborative, 434-466-5157 or teri@theclimatecollaborative.org or Susan Kruse, Executive Director, Community Climate Collaborative, 434-284-0870.
Event photos can be found here.
Thank you, Amanda Maglione. Thank you, US Representative Jennifer McClellan for joining us.
Earned media coverage on the expansion of the Green Business Alliance:
Daily Progress/Richmond Times Dispatch
Green Business Alliance Members List
May 2023
Below is a list of our members and a short description from their respective websites. For more detailed information on their climate leadership plans or projects, please visit theclimatecollaborative.org/gba and click on each business.
Founding 2020 Members
Apex Clean Energy (@apexcleanenergy)
Apex develops, constructs, and operates utility-scale wind and solar power across North America. apexcleanenergy.com.
CFA Institute (@cfainstitute)
CFA Institute sets the highest standard for investment professionals across the globe with more than 165,000 CFA charter holders in 164 markets. cfainstitute.org
CMA Colonial Nissan (@colonialautocenter)
Carter Myers Automotive has been in the automotive industry for four generations and operates over a dozen dealerships across the state. cmascolonialautocenter.com
CMA Volvo Cars of Charlottesville (@volvocharlottesville)
CMA's Volvo Cars of Charlottesville is a local family and employee-owned business and the area's only authorized Volvo dealer, Service Center, and Volvo Parts retailer.
volvocarsofcharlottesville.com
Hantzmon Wiebel (@hantzmonwiebel)
Hantzmon Wiebel, a CPA and advisory services firm, has provided solutions and created value through professional services for businesses, individuals, and nonprofits in Charlottesville for over 90 years. hwllp.cpa
Harvest Moon Catering (@hmcatering)
Since 1995, Harvest Moon Catering has been devoted to the culture of food, relationships grown around the table and a love for Charlottesville, Virginia. hmcatering.com
InBio (@InBioUS)
InBio is a biotech firm founded in 1999 by UVA Professor Dr. Martin D. Chapman specializing in allergen testing. They are recognized as the world leader in assessment of environmental exposure to allergens in homes, schools, and commercial buildings. inbio.com
Legal Aid Justice Center (@legalaidjusticecenter)
Founded in 1967, Legal Aid Justice Center (LAJC) is a nonprofit that partners with communities and clients to achieve justice by dismantling systems that create and perpetuate poverty. justice4all.org
Quantitative Investment Management
Quantitative Investment Management (QIM), LLC is a Virginia-based global investment management firm specializing in alternative investment strategies for institutional and private investors, founded in 2003. quantitative.com
Red Light Management (@redlightmgmt)
Founded in Charlottesville in 1991, Red Light Management is the largest independent music management company in the world. redlightmanagement.com
Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital (@SentaraHealth)
For 100 years, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital has been evolving to meet the healthcare needs of their patients with a combination of cutting-edge technology and a Caring Tradition promise. sentara.com
Sigora Home (@sigorahome)
Sigora Home is the largest residential solar company in Virginia, now in over 11 states across the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest and West Coast (California), installing both residential and commercial solar projects, energy efficiency and battery storage. sigorahome.com
Sun Tribe Solar (@SunTribeSolar)
Sun Tribe Solar, founded in 2016, is one of the fastest growing clean energy companies in the Mid-Atlantic United States, making “legacy-grade” clean energy products. suntribesolar.com
The Center at Belvedere (@thecentercville)
Since 1960, The Center at Belvedere’s nonprofit mission is to encourage healthy aging through social engagement, physical well-being, civic involvement, creativity, and lifelong learning. thecentercville.org
Tiger Fuel Company (@tigerfuelco)
Tiger Fuel Company is a local, family operated fuel supplier headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia. Founded in 1982, Tiger Fuel distributes petroleum products to both commercial and residential customers throughout Central Virginia. With over 300 employees, Tiger Fuel also operates nine gourmet-to-go convenience stores known as The Markets, eight state-of-the art car washes known as TigerWash, and most recently, Tiger Solar, a local, in-house solar company that specializes in designing, installing, and servicing solar arrays for residential and commercial customers. tigerfuel.com
WillowTree (@willowtreeapps)
WillowTree is an award-winning digital product agency founded in 2008 and now employs 380 people. willowtreeapps.com
New 2023 Members
CATEC (@CATECHighSchool)
Founded in 1973, Charlottesville-Albemarle Technical Education Center (CATEC) is a regional technical education center that helps high school students and adults obtain the jobs they seek. catec.org
East Point Energy (@East-Point-Energy)
East Point Energy, a wholly owned subsidiary of Equinor, is a development firm focused on the origination, construction, and operation of energy storage projects. eastpointenergy.com
Hexagon Energy (@Hexagon-Energy)
Hexagon Energy is an independent energy development firm that develops projects across six diverse energy solutions with one common goal—powering a clean future. hexagon-energy.com
Martin Horn (@MartinHornInc)
Martin Horn is a complete and comprehensive general contracting company with the ability to handle highly complicated and sophisticated projects, along with straight-forward simple projects that has been serving Charlottesville since 1979. martinhorn.com
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville (@CharlottesvillePeds)
Pediatric Associates of Charlottesville is a private practice clinic whose doctors, nurses and staff specialize in the care of infants, children, adolescents and their families. charlottesvillepeds.com
Piedmont Housing Alliance (@PiedmontHousingAlliance)
Piedmont Housing Alliance is a local non-profit established in 1983 dedicated to improving financial outcomes for individuals and families by offering innovative affordable housing solutions. piedmonthousingalliance.org
Southern Environmental Law Center (@SELC)
The Southern Environmental Law Center is the largest nonprofit, nonpartisan environmental legal advocacy organization rooted in and focused on protecting the basic right to clean air, clean water, and a livable climate, preserving the South’s natural treasures and rich biodiversity, and providing a healthy environment for all. southernenvironment.org
Thistlerock Mead Company (@thistlerockmead)
Thistlerock Mead Company is a net zero, mission-driven mead and honey company opening in 2023. thistlerockmead.com
UVA Community Credit Union (@UVACCU)
The University of Virginia Community Credit Union is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by individual members. UVACCU.com
Westminster Canterbury of the Blue Ridge (@WestminsterCanterburyoftheBlueRidge)
Westminster-Canterbury of the Blue Ridge is Charlottesville’s only Type A Lifecare community that focuses on improving the lives of those who live there. westminstercanterbury.org