In the United States, renewable energy projects are frequently delayed or cancelled due to local opposition. Communities are pushing back on solar farms, offshore and onshore wind turbines for a range of reasons that developers, regulators, and policymakers should take more seriously. In response, several U.S. states are centralizing permitting and siting authority to override or limit local zoning, preempting municipal opposition to large-scale RE.

This panel brings together developers, regulators, researchers, and community advocates to discuss how to ensure the success of renewable energy projects through meaningful community engagement. The objective is to hear from stakeholders who have/are navigating (sub)optimal community-develop dynamics to help answer questions such as: what meaningful community engagement looks like? When does consultation become genuine partnership? Do benefit-sharing models really contribute to long-term project success? How can future RE buildout combine speed and inclusivity, particularly regarding marginalized communities?