Derisking renewable energy facility siting through expert public engagement
Bringing industry, communities, and local governments together for mutually beneficial renewable energy development.
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40% of large-scale solar PV projects proposed to local governments in the U.S. are rejected
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60% projects have average of 9 month delay
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Average cost to developers in U.S. for each rejected project is $2 million
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Let's flip the script on this
Hi. I'm Ron Meyers. My mission is to help developers reduce delays or denials of local or state permits renewable energy projects due to local opposition. By leveraging research-based solutions that work, I partner with developers to create customized community engagement strategies that improve the likelihood of rapid project approval, particularly for large-scale solar facilities.
I provide a range of services to support developers, communities, and local governments in creating projects that community members actually want, permitting authorities can approve, and developers can afford: win- win solutions. Services range from single consultations to creating and managing all public engagement activities
My expertise in deep experience in community engagement, great interpersonal skills, and being on both sides of federal, state and local permitting processes.
I bring to our collaboration:
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Commitment to finding practical solutions
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In-depth knowledge of federal, state, and local permitting processes
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Over 40 years of community engagement and leadership
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A unique ability to engage with the public, regulatory agencies, industry, and local governments
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A Ph.D. in Natural Resources Policy from The Ohio State University, and Postdoctoral degree from the University of Chicago
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Interdisciplinary training to address complex problems
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A network of professionals and experts
Recent Publications:
Our Services
Empowering developers with innovative solutions. Assisting local governments in strategic planning and policy development. Strengthening communities through sustainable projects and initiatives.
For Developers
Early, meaningful public engagement significantly reduces risk. We provide custom services: From one-time consultation with your teams, to full third-party facilitation to obtain local support for your facility
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Consultation with your community engagement/permitting team
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Custom identification of affordable best practices to improve local economic benefits, environmental performance, social acceptance
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Community engagement training
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Expert speaker services for public meetings
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Rapid social risk assessment
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Secure a Social License to Operate facility as a 3rd party facilitator
For Local Government
Large-scale solar photovoltaic facilities are highly complex, and often create significant community conflict. We provide technical advice on affordable best practices in site design, operation, and decommissioning. We can be your 3rd party facilitator to work with your community and a developer to identify what set of project conditions are needed for community acceptance.
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Consultation with your planning staff and other local permitting staff and leadership
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Custom identification of affordable best practices to improve local economic benefits, environmental performance, and social acceptance
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Expert speaker services for public meetings
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3rd party facilitation of community engagement process to identify site plan acceptable to all parties
For Local Communities
We are dedicated to providing research-based information to help communities evaluate if, and if so, what design and conditions would make a proposed large-scale solar PV project work in your community. We can provide any level of support you need to negotiate with developers and local permitting authorities to get a project that provides good local economic benefits, improves the environment, and is socially fair
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One or more consultations with your community
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Ongoing expert advice
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Custom identification of affordable best practices to improve local economic benefits, environmental performance, and social acceptance
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3rd party facilitation of community engagement process to identify site plan acceptable to all parties