Intuit Brings Renewable Energy & Job Opportunities To US Communities With Innovative Solar Projects
Intuit Inc. is a pretty well-known global financial technology platform which makes TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp (I use all of them). Intuit has made a commitment to a climate-positive future by help communities transition from using fossil fuels to clean energy, and the company has developed a strategy that enables it to provide new employment pathways and educational possibilities.
With a goal to cut 2 million metric tons of CO2e outside of its operational footprint by 2030, Intuit was one of the first companies in the technology sector to make a commitment to a climate-positive future. Through collaborations with GRID Alternatives, its Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, Clearloop, and Secure Solar Futures, Intuit is developing programming that offers long-term advantages to underserved communities all over the country, ensuring meaningful career pathways, financial savings from reduced energy costs, and opportunities for workforce skill development for both students and professionals.
“Beyond working toward our climate-positive goal, we’re deeply committed to creating innovative programs that strengthen the communities around us by supporting their pursuits of renewable energy solutions,” said Debbie Lizt, Head of Sustainability at Intuit. “Our partnerships with local high schools, solar providers, and nonprofits continue to be instrumental in our efforts to create renewable energy programs that offer durable benefits for these communities today and into the future.”
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Intuit is opening the way for families in Compton, California, to go solar at home through a partnership with GRID Alternatives, a nonprofit organization that develops and implements community-first programs that provide solar power and solar jobs to the people. This is consistent with Intuit’s pledge to make investments in the Los Angeles neighborhood and the neighborhoods around Intuit Dome, the new LA Clippers arena set to open in Inglewood in 2024. GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund program, which promotes Indigenous energy sovereignty and increases solar employment prospects in tribal communities around the US, has also received funding from Intuit. The Big Pine Paiute Tribe, located close to Bishop, California, received the funds required to put solar panels on a community facility.
“Working with leading companies such as Intuit is critical toward achieving our vision of a transition to clean energy that includes everyone,” said Erica Mackie, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of GRID Alternatives. “Together we can expand access to solar power and green jobs, and build community-powered solutions that advance economic and environmental justice through renewable energy.”
Since 2021, Intuit has collaborated with Clearloop, a carbon solutions platform based in Nashville, to speed the decarbonization process and provide access to sustainable energy in American communities where it may have the biggest positive effects on the economy and the environment. Intuit’s assistance made it feasible to build a project in Jackson, Tennessee that will capture 60 million pounds of CO2 over the course of its operation. Since then, Intuit has also backed a 1 megawatt solar project in East Tennessee that is located close to an Intuit Prosperity Hub.
The solar project, commissioned by Clearloop, is on schedule to be finished in the winter of 2023. It will reclaim over 139 million pounds of carbon from the electric grid, supply green electricity to neighborhood institutions, and foster employment possibilities.
“Our partnership with Intuit fuels Clearloop’s commitment to expand access to clean energy and bring economic development and affordable, renewable energy to communities where the dollar investment can go further and the environmental impact can be maximized,” said Laura Zapata, CEO and co-founder of Clearloop. “Working with Intuit, we can provide a unique opportunity to support forward-looking communities with the economic boost that renewable energy and the accompanying infrastructure bring.”
Intuit has introduced the Coalfield Solar Fund, a partnership with Secure Solar Futures, a provider of on-site renewable energy and educational programs to K–12 public schools and universities, and The National Energy and Education Development (NEED) Project, a nonprofit educational organization. The Fund is a creative collaboration that offers multiyear grant financing to assist in bringing solar energy, job training, and hands-on student learning opportunities in the solar energy industry to communities in West Virginia and Virginia. Building on the success of its earlier partnership with Secure Solar Futures, Intuit is working with the Coalfield Solar Fund on a solar project in Wise, Virginia, a location for an Intuit Prosperity Hub.
“Intuit has a track record, through its Prosperity Hub and sustainability programs, of bringing jobs and climate solutions to underserved communities, where new workforce development opportunities bring economic impact at scale,” said Ryan McAllister, CEO of Secure Solar Futures. “Their partnership accelerates our ability to bring solar energy, STEM education programs and career opportunities to schools in Virginia and West Virginia. We share Intuit’s vision for creating bold programs that benefit the community in a myriad of ways.”
Intuit is a good company that has some great sustainability programs and climate solutions. Although during tax season it can seem a little less desirable, but its really not their fault when you get done with TurboTax and it says you owe “x” amount of dollars. Another cool thing about Intuit is it offers reimbursements to employees up to $1,300 annually for sustainability-related purchases, ranging from e-bikes to solar panels for their homes.
Source: BusinessWire
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