Amazon should seek clean energy plans for HQ2 - battery storage systems

Amazon encourages cities to think boldly about how to strengthen and transform their communities.
We urge Amazon and bid cities to adopt the same aggressive and transformative mindset of hq2's role in shaping the energy future. Amazon has . The e-
The business giant, the top corporate purchaser of clean energy, is moving toward 100% renewable energy.
Buildings at the Seattle campus include LED lighting and waste disposal.
Heat recovery running at the forefront of energy efficiency.
Now, by choosing which city will host the coveted HQ2, Amazon is paying close attention to sustainability standards such as utility incentives for clean energy development and public transport options for employees.
We encourage Amazon awards to extend the benefits of clean energy beyond the boundaries of the HQ2 to enhance sustainability across host cities and states.
It is also important that we call on 20 shortlisted cities to publish all sustainability provisions of their HQ2 proposal.
We know that in order to maintain a competitive advantage, certain incentives are kept confidential by the city.
Clean energy commitments, however, should not be seen as private trade secrets but as public best practices for promotion and sharing. The 19 U. S.
Cities and regions seeking to attract HQ2 have shown varying degrees of commitment to sustainability in their proposals.
For example, the company is at the top of the list in terms of energy efficiency and achieving carbon neutral climate action plans by 2050.
Boston has come up with a vision for Metro access, rooftop solar panels, geothermal energy and data center waste --heat recovery.
It has abundant public transportation and bicycle paths.
Its proposed uCity Square website can integrate a thermal power plant, and the naval base already has a national-approved power micro-websitegrid with on-
On-site solar power generation and battery storage.
Proposals from other cities provide little in terms of clean energy provisions, or they do not disclose them publicly.
For example, clean energy does not appear to be discussed in its public proposal.
It highlights its extensive metro system but does not outline specific clean energy plans.
Most of its proposals are kept confidential and sustainability is only vaguely mentioned in public materials. proposes self-
Driving electric vehicles for sustainable transportation, but with more than half of Ohio's electricity dependent on coal, the environmental benefits of this strategy can be negligible.
As far as Amazon is concerned, HQ2 can be a catalyst for accelerating clean energy initiatives across the city and across the state, far beyond the new campus.
Although the HQ2 may add 8 million square feet of office space, it will consume very little energy relative to the big cities.
One place where Amazon can maximize its sustainability impact is through access to renewable energy.
Amazon's ability to buy renewable energy varies depending on the local power market structure.
The company has an important choice.
Amazon can easily find HQ2 in 13 Am cities in the United States, allowing customers to choose their renewable energy suppliers.
Alternatively, if Amazon is located in regulated markets such as Atlanta, Denver or Raleigh, renewable energy can be purchased through existing utilities.
More ambitious, Amazon can use the HQ2 of Indianapolis, Miami or Nashville to make renewable energy available to all state residents, state energy committees and utilities are urged to either develop green tariff plans from scratch or allow retail options.
With Amazon's HQ2 commitment to bring 21st century jobs to its new host community, we hope it also brings the 21st century energy ecosystem: Carbon-
Free, smart and accessible energy infrastructure, technology and markets.