In November of 2024, Sustainable PR’s founder Tony DeFazio participated in a panel discussion at NYSEIA’s annual Solar Summit. The panel delved into the significant challenges facing solar developers in New York State, particularly in relation to siting and permitting and the growing community opposition and local moratoriums that are hindering progress.
Tony (far right) seated on siting and permitting panel at NYSEIA’s 2024 Solar Summit
The discussion highlighted three distinct perspectives:
- Solar Developers:
- Developers are grappling with increased community opposition and local moratoriums, which can significantly delay or even halt projects. They feel unfairly targeted by local regulations with municipalities weaponizing moratoriums and strict local laws to ban solar development.
- Local Communities:
- Communities across the state worry about potential negative impacts on property values, community character, and local infrastructure. Municipal officials seek to maintain control over land use decisions and protect their communities’ best interests.
- State Government:
- The New York State Office of Renewable Energy Siting aims to balance the needs of developers and local communities to streamline the permitting process for large-scale renewables and facilitate efficient development of renewable energy projects in a fair, structured manner to meet the state’s energy goals.
While each party has valid concerns and reasonable goals, they are not aligned. They need to work together to balance priorities to succeed. Sustainable PR believes that effective communication and collaboration can bridge the gap between developers and communities.
To bridge this divide and accelerate the transition to clean energy, Sustainable PR recommends a comprehensive approach that focuses on:
- Transparent Communication: Honest and open dialogue is essential to building trust and addressing concerns. Regular community meetings and proactive media outreach can help keep the public informed and involved.
- Strategic Community Engagement: By understanding the unique needs and concerns of each community, developers can tailor their outreach efforts to establish strong relationships with community stakeholders and build out support for their projects.
- Positive Storytelling: Sharing compelling stories about the benefits of solar energy, such economic growth, agricultural preservation, and environmental protection, can help shift public perception and generate enthusiasm.
- Crisis Management: Preparing for and responding to potential conflicts can help mitigate negative publicity and maintain momentum.
Sustainable PR is committed to helping developers navigate this complex landscape to address community concerns and misinformation and establish productive dialogue between parties to promote successful project permitting.
NYSEIA Siting and Permitting panelists from left to right: Katie Soscia, Montante Solar; Noah Ginsburg, NYSEIA; Tony DeFazio, Sustainable PR; Jessica Waldorf, NYS Department of Public Services; Sarah Brancatella, Association of Towns; Matthew Eisenson, Sabin Center for climate Change at Columbia University.
Read more about Sustainable PR’s community engagement services here, or check out our case studies.
