Much to the surprise of policymakers in the United States who recently allocated vast amounts of money to support the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy as part of the U.S.’s climate strategy, there is substantial opposition to such facilities across the country.
While the media has framed this opposition in terms of a few selfish individuals trying to stop change from happening in their communities, our research shows something else entirely. Many stakeholders have good reasons to oppose specific renewable energy facilities given the way they have been designed and located. The renewable energy permitting process in most states does not provide adequate opportunities for facility opponents to raise their concerns or to work with proponents (i.e., private investors) to resolve their legitimate differences. Unless local opposition is handled more effectively than at present, the U.S.’s efforts to decarbonize its energy system will be severely delayed or even blocked entirely.
Resolving Renewable Energy Siting Disputes is an online course designed to expose a range of learners interested in enabling the energy transition to consensus building approaches. Learners who will most benefit from this course include college students who want to pursue careers in the renewable energy space and mid-career professionals such as public officials and renewable energy developers.
Through a series of explanatory videos prepared by experienced university experts, stakeholder advocates, Tribal leaders, and industry spokespeople, case studies of real-world renewable energy development, role play simulations and debriefings, and short assigned readings, you will learn how to establish consensus in renewable energy siting processes.
Topics include:
- Pros and cons of different renewable energy technologies
- Equity and environmental justice in the energy transition
- Regulated and deregulated energy markets
- Siting processes on public land
- The dynamics of local opposition
- Distribution of opposition sources
- Sharing solutions with stakeholders
- Developing trust
- Stakeholder assessment and representation
