Wind/Solar 101s: Partnering with in-state organizations to educate communities early in the development process

Summary of concept: Speaker panelist submission from Clean Grid Alliance to integrate learnings from our 2023 and 2024 Wind/Solar 101 Program and the importance of NGO/Trade Org voice participating in local conversation, in addition to or instead of developers, during very early-stage community outreach. And the importance of early stage education to support positive or neutral community sentiment to new renewable energy projects in their local area.

Learnings would draw on CGA’s 101 events held in 2023 and into the first quarter of 2024, that included 10 events in the MISO footprint in partnership with 9 different developers across 6 states, engaging over 330 community members, including more than 25 decision-makers, and numerous media outlets. The series validated CGA’s hypothesis that credible, third-party messengers, often NOGs and or partners with center-right credentials, rather than developers, can be more effective in educating communities about renewable energy projects, laying the groundwork for constructive community reception to development interest. Collaborating with in-state NGO partners, leveraging their credibility and local knowledge, as well as partnering with Land & Liberty Coalition’s Field Team to be a right-of-center messenger during certain events proved instrumental in the success of these events.

CGA Speaker Participant: Tina Brown, CGA Consultant /Program Manager for Siting and/or Molly Vagle, Siting Associate, would be available to participate.

More background on 101 Program:

101s are:

 • CGA-hosted public, educational events about utility-scale renewable energy projects and their benefits in Midwest communities.

• ACP Grant sponsored events

• Located in early-stage development areas where anti-renewables opposition has not been established.

o Pre-land control

• Presenters: CGA and In-State NGOs e.g. Renew Wisconsin, Land & Liberty Coalition

What is covered at a 101:

• Utility-scale wind, solar, and energy storage technologies

• Siting process

• Tax revenue/economic and other community benefits

• Myth busting information