Washington, DC – Today, the Siting Solutions Project released its new Siting Policy Field Guide, offering state leaders and advocates a practical framework for designing renewable energy siting reforms that balance stakeholder needs while advancing clean energy deployment and ensuring benefits to host communities. Drawing on recent state reforms across the country, it brings real-world examples to life through examples and includes strategies for effective policymaking and implementation.
The Field Guide is the latest product of the Siting Solutions Project, which brings together the research, partnerships and policy expertise needed to help states modernize their siting laws. By analyzing what works, connecting key stakeholders and offering expert guidance, the Project helps states adopt reforms that speed up clean energy development. The Siting Solutions Project is an initiative of Clean Tomorrow, a nonpartisan, outcome-driven organization advancing practical solutions to decarbonize the future.
“States don’t need to start from scratch – successful models already exist,” said Nelson Falkenburg, co-author and Siting Policy Manager at the Siting Solutions Project. “This Field Guide shows how states can adopt clear, fair and predictable siting rules that unlock clean energy growth while strengthening community trust.”
The United States faces a critical challenge: deploying renewable energy at the pace and scale necessary to meet rising electricity demand and counter soaring power costs. Recent polling shows energy bill increases are now a top source of financial stress for households nationwide, cutting across regions and political affiliations.
Renewable energy siting has emerged as both the greatest barrier – and opportunity – for meeting America’s clean energy goals. The Siting Policy Field Guide calls for a clear-eyed review of outdated and fragmented state siting processes. It synthesizes internal analysis, external research and collaborations with partners including Data for Progress and Strategic Economic Research. Rather than prescribing a one-size-fits-all solution, this field guide outlines four adaptable policy models that states can tailor to their own needs.
“Siting is the bottleneck holding back America’s clean energy potential,” said Alex Breckel, co-author and Senior Director of Programs at the Siting Solutions Project. “With the right policies in place, states can cut energy costs for consumers, attract investment and deliver real benefits for workers, landowners and host communities.”
The Siting Policy Field Guide identifies six principles for effective siting policies including:
- Clear Rules: Create predictable, transparent permitting processes with consistent standards.
- Timely Decisions: Establish enforceable timelines that provide certainty for all stakeholders.
- Fair Process: Base decisions on objective criteria rather than political pressure.
- Economic Opportunity: Protect the rights of landowners, workers and communities to benefit from clean energy development.
- Community Benefits: Ensure meaningful local input and tangible benefits for host communities.
- Land Stewardship: Plan for and manage impacts on agricultural lands, wildlife and habitat.
The Field Guide underscores that policy design is not enough – lasting success requires careful implementation, durable coalitions and clear metrics to measure progress. The technology is ready, the economics are strong and effective policy models are already proven. By learning from successful state examples, applying proven design principles, and maintaining focus on effective implementation, state policymakers can create the frameworks needed to unlock America’s renewable energy potential and meet the nation’s urgent energy needs.
Read the full Siting Policy Field Guide here.
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About the Siting Solutions Project
The Siting Solutions Project (SSP) conducts rigorous analysis and stakeholder engagement to identify the most promising siting policies to maximize the benefits clean energy provides – for communities, the environment, and the electric grid. The Siting Solutions Project supports a wide variety of stakeholders and state policymakers across the political spectrum. Learn more at SitingSolutions.com.