Community Benefits Agreements Foster Local Support for Renewable Energy Projects

Communities have historically resisted renewable energy projects due to exclusion from decision-making processes and environmental damages from past developments. Implementing legally binding community benefits agreements can address these concerns by guaranteeing long-term collaboration, prioritizing local hiring, and enforcing environmental protections. Public agencies and developers can facilitate these agreements by offering technical and legal assistance, thereby building trust and expediting project implementation. As Katherine Hoff, a research fellow at the University of California Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment, notes, “If done well, not only can community benefits create a more equitable transition to this clean energy future that we all want; they can also help projects move more smoothly and more quickly.” This collaborative approach is essential for reducing opposition and accelerating the clean energy transition. Read more.