Building Partnership between Government and Small Business to Drive a New Clean Energy Economy

WASHINGTON, April 7, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) today announced a special series of educational events entitled 'E3 -Leadership & Innovation' as part of the 2011 curriculum for Entrepreneurs, Energy and Environment (E3), the first program of its kind for small business owners.  Prominent leaders from federal government agencies at the intersection of economic, energy and environment issues, including the General Services Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, Small Business Administration and Department of Energy, have been invited to participate in the series as featured speakers this year, punctuating a robust curriculum of courses and business education tools for small businesses.

The E3 - Leadership & Innovation Series offers insight into the federal government's initiatives to work first hand with small businesses to fuel America's economic growth and progress towards clean energy and environment goals.  The government speakers will challenge business owners to be the Engines of Innovation, Energy-Smart Entrepreneurs and Environmental Leaders.  The series – including Webinars and face-to-face events – highlights specific economic opportunities, programs and resources that will help small businesses be competitive in the new clean energy economy.

"The transformation to a clean energy economy will undoubtedly require the ingenuity of small business owners and entrepreneurs who are fully informed and invested in the energy and environmental policy issues we face today," commented Barbara Kasoff, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy.  "This important E3 series aims to strengthen public and private sector cooperation, inspire and motivate small business leaders, and spark innovation."  

Special E3 Series

The E3 program provides a unique opportunity to directly connect with decision makers and powerful influencers of policy on energy and environment topics vital to business.  Recent courses featured small business sustainability programs from the General Services Administration (GSA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  Podcasts and upcoming Courses are open to WIPP members and non-members at no charge.  

On June 2, 2011, E3 will host Major L. Clark III, Assistant Chief Counsel for Procurement at the Small Business Administration (SBA), to examine how small businesses are driving innovation in the green sector, including a look at the recently implemented GreenGov Supply Chain Partnership, a key program for preparing small businesses to play a major role in greening government procurement.

The series will culminate in celebration of Energy Awareness Month during the WIPP Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. October 11-13, 2011 with invited participation from the Department of Energy (DOE).

Women Business Owners as Leaders & Innovators

Women business owners are a driving force in our national economy, generating $2 trillion in sales and employing 13 million people.  Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the voice for women business owners on Capitol Hill, developed and piloted the E3 educational initiative in 2010 in the wake of compelling research that identified the need for increased awareness and education of energy sources and issues among women, and clearly distinguished women business owners at the forefront of leading American towards energy conservation and a clean energy economy.  

E3 is the third educational program to be released by WIPP's Women, Money and Opportunity series, which includes the Give Me 5 Federal Procurement Program and the Women Accessing Capital Program.  E3 is designed to attract the broadest possible participation from corporate America, government entities and women business owners.  The program includes a comprehensive rotating curriculum on more than 60 topics and offers networking opportunities among women business owners.  The program's Web site includes podcasts of all presentations, and links to participating organizations and companies.  For more information, visit www.entrepreneursandenergy.com.    

The E3 program expanded this year as a result of renewed commitments from its founding sponsor, Entergy, and other partners who are helping to enhance the E3 initiative.

"Entergy is very proud to support E3, bringing voices together in a non-partisan, education-based manner, to benefit small business owners today and educate them about energy sources that will impact them in the future," said John Herron, chief nuclear officer at Entergy.  "We are leading by example with nuclear clean air energy, environmental stewardship and sustainability strategies.  Entergy is pleased to partner with E3 in working with women business owners for a greener and economically stronger clean energy future."

WIPP gratefully acknowledges the support of other early E3 sponsors, Chevron and Exxon Mobil.

About WIPP

Women Impacting Public Policy is a non-profit, national nonpartisan group with over half-a-million members.  WIPP is The Collective Voice in Washington, D.C. for over 50 national women and business organizations.  WIPP advocates for and on behalf of women in business in the legislative processes of our nation, creating economic opportunities for members and building alliances with other business organizations. Visit www.wipp.org.

SOURCE Women Impacting Public Policy