Thanks to everyone who attended for making the 2011 Business Policy Conference such a great event. As promised, here are links to the presentations made by our speakers. I’ll share more highlights of the conference soon.

Maryland’s Competitiveness: Where We Lead, How We Lag

• Maryland’s Competitiveness: Where We Lead, How We Lag, Gary D. Keith, Regional Economist, M&T Bank

Green Business is Good Business

• Marketing Your Sustainability Initiatives, Ida Cheinman, Principal & Creative Director, Substance 151, Benefit LLC
• UPS and Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Jim Bruce, Vice President, UPS Corporate Public Affairs
• Marriott Spirit to Preserve, Mari L. Snyder, Vice President of Social Responsibility & Community Engagement, Marriott International, Inc.

The Employer’s Role in Enforcing Immigration Law

• ICE, I-9s, and Employment Eligibility Compliance, Sheela Murthy, Sheela Murthy, President, Murthy Law Firm
• E-Verify: Employment Eligibility Verification, Phyllis Bell, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Department of Homeland Security

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(L to R) Dominick Murray, Deputy Secretary, MD Department of Business & Economic Development; Scott Dorsey, Chairman & CEO, Merritt Properties; Ian MacFarlane, President & CEO, EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.; Kevin Kamenetz, Baltimore County Executive; Lou Boeri, Leasing, Merritt Properties; Dan Pallace, Construction Services, Merritt Properties.

Merritt Properties announced that it has started construction on Schilling Green II, a four-story office building and single-story annex. EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc. (EA) announced that it would be the buildings first tenant. The building will be EA’s new headquarters. The company will occupy two full floors, and will be the sole tenant of the annex, which will serve as the future home of EA’s nationally accredited ecotoxicology and biological testing labs.

“We are delighted to be staying in Baltimore County, where EA has been headquartered for over three decades,” said Ian MacFarlane, EA’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Selecting Merritt Properties’ Schilling Green II, a building complex that will be constructed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s rigorous LEED Platinum specifications, clearly reflects our company’s strong commitment to our employees and to environmental sustainability.”

Scott Dorsey, Chairman and Chief Executive Office of Merritt Properties, talked more about the specifications needed to meet the LEED Platinum certification.

“To meet the highest level of LEED certification, specific green building strategies are incorporated into the design, which will result in exemplary environmental and health performance,” said Scott Dorsey, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Merritt Properties. “For example, energy consumption will be reduced with an enhanced building envelope, efficient HVAC, high-performance lighting, photovoltaic panels, and a building Energy Management System.”

Similarly, water consumption will be decreased through the use of water-efficient restroom fixtures, as well as landscaping with native drought-tolerant plant species and efficient irrigation heads. Indoor air quality will be enhanced by a carbon dioxide monitoring system, increased ventilation, and the use of low-VOC materials. Additional sustainable features will include delivering HVAC via an under-floor air distribution system, paired with a variable refrigerant volume (VRV) system to provide independent zoning control.

To learn more, see the following press releases:

• Merritt Properties to Construct Green Office Building
• EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc.’s New Headquarters Slated for LEED Platinum Certification

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The Maryland Clean Energy Center (MCEC) is looking for clean energy leaders for its annual awards program. Help determine who deserves to be recognized by nominating someone within the following categories:

• Clean Energy Champion of the Year
• Legislative Leadership
• Industry Leadership
• Advocacy Award
• Bright Light Award
• Entrepreneur of the Year
• Partnership Award
• Special Appreciation

To nominate someone, or for more information, click here. The nomination deadline is July 30.

Awards will be presented during MCEC’s Clean Energy Summit 2011, which will be held August 25-27, at the Marriott North Bethesda Hotel and Conference Center. The Summit will bring together industry leaders to talk about creating jobs, growing businesses and advancing technology in the green energy sector.

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President Barack Obama visited a UPS facility in Landover, MD last week to unveil his green fleets initiative and learn what some major companies are doing to make their corporate fleets greener.

He highlighted the National Clean Fleets Partnership. This public-private partnership will help large companies reduce diesel and gasoline use in their fleets by incorporating electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and fuel-saving measures into their daily operations. Through the Partnership, the Department of Energy (DOE) will assist companies in their efforts to reduce fuel use and achieve greater efficiency and cost-savings by offering specialized resources, technical expertise, and support. Maryland Chamber members UPS, AT&T and Verizon are among the partnership’s five charger members.

The President said that by 2015, all new vehicles purchased for America’s federal agencies will be electric, gas-electric hybrid, or alternatively fueled. He also praised companies like UPS, AT&T and Verizon for their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their fleets. UPS’s alternative fuel fleet recently hit a milestone of 200 million miles traveled since 2000. AT&T announced that its use of compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles in its corporate vehicle fleet helped the company avoid the purchase of more than one million gallons of traditional petroleum fuel in 2010. During the last few years, Verizon has added hundreds of hybrid Toyota Priuses, as well as more than 500 compressed natural gas vans and 700 hybrid pickups.

Learn more about the National Clean Fleets Partnership here.

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Miller’s Minuteman Press is committed to reducing its environmental footprint. The company offers recyclable paper options and operates full color, environmentally friendly DI presses. Visit http://www.greenerfootprints.org

Establishing a “green team” is a great way to boost your company’s sustainability efforts and get your employees more involved.

A green team brings together employees from various departments to improve your organization’s environmental sustainability efforts and raise employee awareness of opportunities to save energy. Members of your green should share the workload, build support among coworkers and make sure the company’s sustainability efforts are successful.

Miller’s Minuteman Press formed its green team in 2008. It is composed of employees from all job levels and store locations. “Our green team encourages all of our employees to suggest green ideas and alternatives,” said Leigh Lieman, Marketing and Communications Manager for Miller’s Minuteman Press.

Members of the Miller’s Minuteman Press Green Team meet regularly to discuss and review policies and procedures. They develop strategies to increase recycling and decrease office energy usage. In addition, they work to educate clients on the benefits of greener printing alternatives.

With more and more businesses acknowledging the importance of environmental sustainability, it is essential to make sure all staff is aware of the company’s sustainability goals and green initiatives. “Demonstrate your commitment to a proactive approach to environmental sustainability by identifying your green goals, educating and encouraging staff and clients, and acknowledging and publicizing your green efforts,” Lieman said.

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The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) will install more than 2,600 solar panels this summer, resulting in one of the largest rooftop solar power systems in Maryland.

The university was selected as a Maryland Energy Administration Project Sunburst Initiative Partner and awarded a grant to help promote the installation of renewable energy systems on public buildings in Maryland.

This 631-kilowatt system will produce about 792 megawatt hours of electricity each year. According to UMD, electricity from the solar panels will reduce the university’s carbon footprint by over 600 tons per year, the equivalent of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from 64,000 gallons of gasoline per year, or nearly 1.3 million gallons over the life of the contract.

The solar panels will be installed on the roof of the Severn building, about a mile from its main College Park campus. Learn more.

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The 2010 Business Policy Conference was a great event. Thank you to all of our speakers and everyone who attended. As promised, here are links to the presentations and handouts provided by our speakers. I’ll share some photos and video highlights soon.

Health Care Reform: Next Steps for Employers

• Health Care Reform Changes: The Top 10 Things Employers Need to Do Now, Martha Jo Wagner, Esq., Partner
• Health Insurance Reform: A View from Maryland, Beth Sammis, Acting Insurance Commissioner, Maryland Insurance Administration
• An Employer’s Guide to Health Care Reform, Frank Kelly, III, CEO, Kelly & Associates Insurance Group/KTBS Payroll

Water Quality: Preparing for the Storm

• Maryland’s Watershed Implementation Plan, Robert M. Summers, Ph.D., Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of the Environment
• Next Steps for Maryland’s WIP, Frank W. Dawson III, Assistant Secretary for Aquatic Programs, Maryland Department of Natural Resources
• History of the Bay Agreements, Alison Prost, Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Maryland’s Competitiveness – Where We Lead, How We Lag

• Maryland’s Competitiveness: Where We Lead, How We Lag, Gary D. Keith, Regional Economist, M&T Bank

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In April 2010, Maryland was the first state in the country to pass Benefit Corporation legislation, which will go into effect October 1. The Chesapeake Sustainable Business Alliance held a session Monday to inform business owners about the legislation and how a Benefit Corporation is formed. Here are some of the basics you need to know about new class of corporation:

What is a Benefit Corporation?

“A Benefit Corporation is a new class of corporation that meets higher standards of purpose, accountability and transparency,” Jay Gilbert, co-founder of B Lab said at Monday’s meeting.

A Benefit Corporation creates a material positive impact on society and the environment; redefines fiduciary duty to require consideration of non-financial interests when making decisions; and reports on its overall social and environmental performance using an independent and transparent third party standard.

How is a Benefit Corporation formed?

In order to become a B Corporation, a business must achieve a passing score on the B Ratings System, which assesses a company’s social and environmental performance. It must also agree to legally expand the responsibilities of the corporation to include the interests of its employees, suppliers, consumers, community, and environment.

To incorporate a Benefit Corporation, a new company can simply incorporate as a Benefit Corporation in Maryland or Vermont, and follow the incorporation procedure, which is identical to that followed by all other corporate structures. An existing company can elect to become a Benefit Corporation by amending the governing documents, which requires a 2/3-majority vote of shareholders.

Who certifies and audits Benefit Corporations?

An organization called B Lab, a 501(c)3 non-profit, supports B Corporations by certifying and rating B Corporations through the B Rating System; developing and disseminating a legal framework to institutionalize stakeholder interests within existing corporate law; recruiting and promoting B Corporations and helping B Corporations access purpose-driven capital markets.

B Lab’s Board of Directors has convened a nine person Standards Advisory Council that oversees the certification ratings and auditing requirements for B Corporations.

How does becoming a Benefit Corporation benefit a business?

Becoming a B Corporation gives a business the opportunity to differentiate itself from other companies that claim to be socially responsible. The transparent standards allow people “to tell the difference between a ‘good company’ and just good marketing.” It also provides clarity that fiduciary duty includes both making money, and making a difference, and offers legal protection to consider non-financial interests, even in liquidity scenarios.

For more information about Benefit Corporations, the B Ratings System, or B Lab, visit www.bcorporation.net. Download the original legislation here (PDF).

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If you are not at least paying attention to “going green” and the growing number of businesses marketing their sustainability efforts, you are behind the times. But don’t take it from me.

Ida Cheinman, Principal and Creative Director of strategic brand communication firm Substance151, said businesses that do not participate in or market their efforts to be environmentally sustainable and socially responsible (two concepts that have become increasingly intertwined and covered by the umbrella term, ‘sustainable’) are at a real disadvantage.

“Environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility are becoming strong motivators because people want to feel good about their personal choices,” she said. “The marketplace is becoming very crowded very quickly and simply being green or socially responsible and knowing that internally is not enough. You really need to be branding and marketing your business appropriately to take advantage of all the benefits there are to taking on those initiatives.”

Among the audiences you can reach through marketing of your sustainability efforts:

• Your customers: According to Cheinman’s presentation, 67 percent of buyers believe it is important to buy sustainable products, and 71 percent avoid purchasing from companies with “bad” practices.
• Employees: Marketing your sustainability can give you an edge in recruitment and employee retention. “Younger generations are becoming more conscious about who they work with. They want to work for an organization that is known for sustainability and good practices and, for small businesses that must compete with larger firms for top talent, this can be especially important,” Cheinman said.
• Investors: Cheinman said investors are increasingly looking for performance in the triple bottom line, which encompasses an economic, environmental, and social impact.

To get started, look at what you’re already doing. “If you are just starting with your green initiatives you can build something surrounding something as simple as your recycling program. Yes, it’s something that most everyone does but at the very least it can give you a blog post,” Cheinman said. “You may already be doing a lot more than you think. Other common workplace initiatives include:

• Telecommute/bike-to-work practices
• Green IT
• Fair employment practices
• Investing in people/staff development
• Renewable energy or offsets
• Employee engagement/community involvement
• Green buildings or office spaces

When launching new initiatives, involve executives, human resources, and employees in mapping out a strategy that includes the development of goals, a plan to achieve them and a marketing strategy to promote the initiatives.

Next, talk about the initiatives through your website, print communications and social media to your customers, investors, and your employees. Seek out green trustmarks and certifications, which give you independent third-party approval that you can promote.

Green trustmarks are available by using environmentally sustainable products, such as printing on FSC certified paper and buying energy offsets through Wind Current or Clean Currents. Certifications include the Maryland Green Registry and Green America, among others.

Finally, because the marketplace is getting increasingly more crowded with businesses’ green marketing efforts, it is important to avoid greenwashing. Greenwashing is the deceptive use of green PR or green marketing in order to promote a misleading perception that a company’s policies, products, or services are environmentally friendly and create a positive social impact. To avoid it: be transparent and authentic. Don’t exaggerate your company’s efforts, have proof of your efforts readily available, and use clear and specific language in all of your marketing materials.

“Green doesn’t live in a marketing department—get everyone involved,” Cheinman said. “In order to market green you have to be authentically green. Look at all of your actions through a green lens. Think it through organizationally. “

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There are many factors to take into account when considering whether to install a solar power system, whether it is a solar electric system, solar hot water system or any other system that uses solar energy as its power source. Some of the factors include space, annual usage, and benefits available to you for installing the system.

This video from Constellation Energy gives a good overview of what should be included in a checklist for a large-sized operation considering installing a solar power system:

Solar systems are also available for smaller commercial operations, as well as residential properties. Some of the same requirements still apply, such as a clear space not shaded by trees or other obstructions and sufficient installation space. But, requirements vary dependent on the type of system you wish to install, and many companies will work with you to determine solutions to incorporate a system into your space.

There are a number of local resources available to learn more about the benefits of solar systems and installation requirements including, Constellation Energy, Greenspring Energy, Solar Energy World, and Aztec Solar Power.

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