Location: Wisconsin

A guide for local solar energy siting projects. Includes recommendations for developing your playbook, including advice for Before you pitch, Stories to pitch, Ads, and Neutralizing the opposition. Plus case studies and other resources.

This report shares findings from a joint study of community benefit plans (CBPs) made by utilities and developers. RMI and the University of Minnesota (UMN) Center for Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy (CSTEP) collaborated on the research and analysis.

The clean energy boom continues across the U.S. In the almost two years since the clean energy plan was signed into law on August 16, 2022, companies have announced or advanced 646 new clean energy projects, creating 334,565 new jobs and driving $372 billion in new investments across 47 states and Puerto Rico. Plans include 183 new battery manufacturing sites, 155 new or expanded electric vehicle manufacturing facilities, and 185 solar and wind manufacturing plants. The majority of projects are in five states — Michigan, Texas, Georgia, California, and South Carolina. A bulk of the new clean energy projects are located in congressional districts represented by Republican members of the House of Representatives – totaling 190,727 new jobs and over $286 billion in investment across 354 clean energy projects in 150 Republican-held districts. In low-income communities, 290 new clean energy projects have been announced since the passage of the clean energy plan, bringing $114 billion in investment and 134,385 jobs to low-income communities across 38 states.

Across the US, communities are organizing around IRA opportunities, mobilizing support for clean energy, and building durable power. And they’re learning a lot about what works well (and not so well)! This week, we’re excited to share reflections and insights from our interviews with Autonomy Strategies (with Conexión and Voto Latino), Local First Arizona, Sustainable Georgia Futures, and Wisconsin Conservation Voters. Hat tip to our partner 89up for their work on this!