How to Work with Energy Developers in your Community
- Attend meetings. Early interaction through information sessions, written correspondence, and public meetings develops relationships that will extend through the life of the project
- Request the establishment of a public liaison committee and nominate members of the community to be members
- Ask how the project will benefit the community
- Ask about the project’s compliance and management plans
- Identify locally valued resources for the developer
- Discuss adjusting a project’s setbacks/locations or operation practices (e.g. times of operation, turbine speeds) if a sensitive or concerned receptor (human or ecological) is in the area
- Establish agreements on operation like voluntary slow-downs or shut-downs under specified conditions
- Read project documentation and request additional relevant project documentation where needed
- Provide the developers with a list of community concerns and key contacts
- Request educational or outreach sessions on renewable energy to schools or community groups
- Request a project newsletter and regular website updates on progress
- Request ongoing open houses, formal presentations and workshops to engage with the community. Provide the developer with input on which format and how often updates should occur
