Why are renewable energy projects so controversial?

Why are renewable energy projects so controversial?

Today, a majority of Americans support renewable energy. Yet research shows that hundreds of large-scale renewable energy projects have encountered significant opposition.

Today, a majority of Americans support renewable energy. Yet research shows that hundreds of large-scale renewable energy projects have encountered significant opposition.

Hundreds of projects have been paused, delayed, or canceled due to firm opposition.

Hundreds of projects have been paused, delayed, or canceled due to firm opposition.

Our mission is to pinpoint these key sources of opposition in order to foster a more inclusive and equitable process for developing renewable energy projects.

Our mission is to pinpoint these key sources of opposition in order to foster a more inclusive and equitable process for developing renewable energy projects.

Common Concerns

After conducting an in-depth study of more than 50 renewable energy projects, our Clinic traced these ongoing conflicts that arise between stakeholders and the public.

Environmental Concerns

Land Value

Public

Participation

Financial

Feasibility

Institutional Complexity

Tribal Rights

Health &

Safety

Intergovernmental Conflict

Environmental Concerns

Land Value

Public

Participation

Financial

Feasibility

Institutional Complexity

Tribal Rights

Health &

Safety

Intergovernmental Conflict

Siting Conflicts Database and Map

Our research team at MIT has created an open-access database describing a wide range of renewable energy siting conflicts. Check out the How to Use Tutorial.

Research Workflow and Timeline

Our research is client and community driven, focusing on issues that can strengthen a more collaborative approach to infrastructure and energy facility siting. By understanding the legitimate concerns of proponents and opponents, we can arrange alternative facility designs, financial structures, and compensation strategies that are informed by local interests and practices.

As a team, we believe in participatory action research and learning, engaging stakeholders at every step of our research process and maintaining transparency in data collection and data sovereignty.

Our research is client and community driven, focusing on issues that can strengthen a more collaborative approach to infrastructure and energy facility siting. By understanding the legitimate concerns of proponents and opponents, we can arrange alternative facility designs, financial structures, and compensation strategies that are informed by local interests and practices.

As a team, we believe in participatory action research and learning, engaging stakeholders at every step of our research process and maintaining transparency in data collection and data sovereignty.

Research Workflow and Timeline

Research Workflow and Timeline

Our research is client and community driven, focusing on issues that can strengthen a more collaborative approach to infrastructure and energy facility siting. By understanding the legitimate concerns of proponents and opponents, we can arrange alternative facility designs, financial structures, and compensation strategies that are informed by local interests and practices.

As a team, we believe in participatory action research and learning, engaging stakeholders at every step of our research process and maintaining transparency in data collection and data sovereignty.

Jan 2020 - Jan 2022

Jan 2020 - Jan 2022

Case Study Creation

Case Study Creation

Case Study Creation

Case Study Creation

Original case study and database creation for 60+ siting conflicts around the nation

Jan 2022 - May 2023

Jan 2022 - May 2023

Ideation

Ideation

Ideation

Ideation

Ideation and stakeholder engagement on a  university-based clinical approach to mediate siting disputes

May 2023 - Sep 2023

May 2023 - Sep 2023

Pilot Fall Clinic

Pilot Fall Clinic

Pilot Fall Clinic

Pilot Fall Clinic

Preparation for first pilot Renewable Energy Facility Siting Clinic

Jan 2023 - Today

Jan 2023 - Today

Onwards

Onwards

Onwards

Onwards

Dispute characterization through large language model aided analysis for proposed and operational energy infrastructure in the United States