Opposition or opportunity? The role of community benefits in just energy transitions

Talk summary:

As demand for distributed renewable energy generation has increased rapidly, so have conflicts over siting large-scale projects. Many wind and solar projects in the US and Canada have faced delays and cancellations that slow progress toward decarbonization goals. Meaningful community engagement and direct, verifiable benefits co-creation are necessary to avert these trends—and to ensure an equitable, rather than exploitative, energy transition. This talk will first examine recent findings from a survey of residents and local elected officials in Pennsylvania, USA that highlight how community benefits can build bipartisan support for energy infrastructure projects. Next, I will discuss emerging research on community benefits agreements, considering how new practices and policies might work to build shared value, prioritize justice, and expedite equitable energy development to mitigate climate change. 

Dr. Holly Caggiano, Assistant Professor of Community and Regional Planning, UBC   Holly Caggiano is an Assistant Professor in the School of Community and Regional Planning at the University of British Columbia. Her work explores social dimensions of climate change in the US and Canada, and currently focuses on planning for just energy transitions.