WHO WE ARE
Led by Professor Lawrence Susskind and Dr. Jungwoo Chun of MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning, the Renewable Energy Facility Siting Clinic is the only public service center of its kind that connects university experts with industry stakeholders, regulators, and citizen advocates to engage in joint problem-solving and collective decision-making on proposed renewable energy projects.
By pinpointing how regulatory and political dynamics contribute to controversy over renewable energy facility siting, we believe we can help parties involved at various sites resolve their disagreements and develop solutions that benefit everyone. As social scientists and urban planners, we are committed to facilitating these efforts so that local stakeholders—especially renewable energy developers, utility companies, communities, regulators, and Tribes—can build informed agreement on where and how renewable energy solutions can be implemented locally in a more equitable way.
Making renewable energy work for everyone.
A university-based clinical approach to a just energy transition.
Our Team
We are a team of scholars, practitioners, and action researchers. Learn more about our members.
LARRY SUSSKIND
Co-director & Professor of Urban and Environmental Planning | MIT Science Impact Collaborative (he/him)
JUNGWOO CHUN
Co-director & Lecturer | Department of Urban Studies and Planning I MIT Science Impact Collaborative (he/him)
SANJANA PAUL
Researcher & Doctoral Candidate | Department of Urban Studies and Planning (she/her)
KEVIN HSU
Researcher & Doctoral Candidate | Department of Urban Studies and Planning (he/him)
What We Do
At MIT, we're pioneering a new approach to renewable energy siting by bringing together communities, developers, and experts in a collaborative and neutral setting, guided by professional mediators.
First piloting at MIT in Fall 2023, university-based clinics can serve as forums where all voices can be heard, fostering open dialogue and creative problem-solving to transform the way energy projects are planned and implemented.
And we're not stopping at MIT; we envision a nationwide network of university clinics, working locally but collaborating nationally to share knowledge, resources, and innovation, making our energy transition more accessible and equitable for everyone.
Who We Serve
The MIT Renewable Energy Clinic works with communities, developers, and educators to better understand the challenges surrounding renewable energy development. Through research, policy analysis, and public engagement, the Clinic helps stakeholders navigate renewable energy siting decisions and explore solutions that are informed, equitable, and locally grounded.
COMMUNITIES
We support communities navigating proposed renewable energy projects by offering assistance with public engagement, including identifying, convening, and facilitating a carefully designed public dialogue to ensure a fair process and adequate representation.
DEVELOPERS
Based on careful stakeholder assessment and joint fact-finding, we provide a neutral forum for all stakeholders to confront their differences in a productive way. Our efforts enable developers to explore alternatives and draft community benefits agreements (CBAs).
EDUCATORS
The Clinic serves as a learning platform where students and educators engage in applied research on renewable energy policy, governance, and community engagement.
Why It Matters.
Meeting U.S. decarbonization goals requires a rapid transition to renewable energy. To achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, utility-scale wind and solar capacity must expand by an estimated 38–67 GW per year by 2030.
Since 2021, three landmark pieces of legislation—the Inflation Reduction Act, CHIPS and Science Act, and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—have made these goals more attainable by directing $400 billion towards clean energy research and development.
With much of the technology now cost-effective, one key challenge remains: ensuring that proposed new renewable energy projects actually make sense for the communities they affect. The current siting process rarely addresses legitimate community concerns, resulting in lengthy delays and project cancellations instead of finding real solutions. The siting process needs to change, and the clinical approach can make it more efficient and equitable for all.
27
YEARS
left to reach U.S. net-zero goals
$400
BILLION
of new federal funding for clean energy development
4.6
GIGAWATTS
potential generation capacity never installed
