1. + Compatible Siting of Energy Projects: Collaboration and DOD Engagement ADC National Summit June 22, 2015 Better negotiations. Better decision making. Better results.

2. + About CBI The Consensus Building Institute is a not-for-profit [501 c(3)] organization based in Cambridge, MA. CBI provides facilitation and mediation services to help public, private, and non-governmental organizations nationally and internationally reach agreement on complex public policy matters. CBI works extensively on energy issues and facility siting, including renewable energy facility siting. Recent engagements include a 3-day DOE workshop on Facilitating Wind Energy; post-construction conflict resolution in Kingston and Falmouth, MA; state task forces on wind energy development; wind development public meetings for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management; working group to develop shared criteria for regional wind resource center; and, collaborative processes on bats and wind. CBI also facilitates collaboration between military facilities and communities around water resources, toxic clean-ups, and radar systems.

3. + DOE Workshop Facilitating Wind Energy: Addressing Challenges around Visual Impacts, Noise, Credible Data, and Local Benefits through Creative Stakeholder Engagement  Three-day course held in March 2011  Based on interviews with leaders in wind energy field and several researched case studies  Included presentations and Q&A with various experts Objective: to build capacity of state officials to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders on wind development policy, facility siting, and energy transmission.

4. + A Short History of Wind Siting Wind siting is a policy problem “If we can just get RPS or other policies in place…” Wind siting is a technology problem “If we can just get the right site, with the right equipment, with the right inter-connections…” Wind siting is an impacts problem “If we can just assemble the right facts and data about wind impacts…” Wind siting is a negotiation problem Wind, like any other siting problem, requires direct stakeholder involvement to realize the benefits and overcome the obstacles created by potential impacts

5. + Mutual Gains vs. Conventional Approach Conventional ApproachConsensus Building Approach GoalTechnically viable planTechnically and politically viable plan Primary ClientDecision-makersDecision-makers and stakeholder representatives TasksData-drivenInterest-driven with attention to data developed jointly SkillsTechnicalProblem-solving Role of stakeholders Provide input and adviceBuild understanding and generate a proposed agreement

6. + Wind Siting Disputes: Underlying Theory Siting conflicts often arise when interests are in conflict Insufficient effort is made to listen to and/or respond to the interests of all the relevant stakeholders Siting is not a zero-sum problem

7. + Avoid conflict Learn critical information Make wiser decisions about appropriate placements and design Build local support and champions Much easier to avoid problems than fix them later Why involve Stakeholders Early and Often?

8. + Don’t presume that a proposed wind energy facility is acceptable because it meets minimum legal requirements. Don’t surprise people and announce plans to build something without giving all stakeholders in the area a chance to talk about whether and how a project should be built. Don’t downplay potential impacts related to construction, noise, wildlife, visual effects, air space, or radar. There are risks and benefits associated with any technology. Don’t build wind turbines too close to abutters or incompatible entities. Adequate buffers make for good neighbors. Best Practices for Engaging Stakeholders: What NOT to do

9. + Best Practices for Engaging Stakeholders: What TO do Begin outreach as early as possible, starting with when, where, and how to build and operate wind turbines Start with multiple sites/options on the table Include all potential stakeholders, including any DOD components within the vicinity or who might use impacted land or air space Use multiple and interactive methods to elicit and really understand potential concerns: Traditional political meetings and public deliberation strategies are often insufficient Consider a representative advisory group, involving community leaders

10. + Best Practices for Engaging Stakeholders: What TO do Information must be legitimate, credible, and salient to be effective If questions of science or data are contested, consider joint fact-finding Engage stakeholders around changes as planning goes forward Be realistic about and proactively plan for potential negative impacts from the beginning Consider using a skilled, neutral facilitator to manage these conversations Consider contingent agreements where future actions may be taken dependent on particular triggers or thresholds.

11. + Develop/disseminate guidelines identifying key potential areas of conflict for siting Include any potentially impacted military components in invitations to collaborative processes or public meetings and hearings Promote engagement as requirement for state feasibility study grants Require engagement of all stakeholders before approving projects (via state siting laws or locals ordinances) Develop model ordinances that require engagement or consideration of potential stakeholder conflicts to support local siting regulation Promote joint fact-finding and mutual gains negotiation as mechanisms to resolve siting challenges Support use of neutral mediators to advise and/or assist with process Encourage Collaboration and Conflict Resolution: What Localities and States can do

12. + Joint Fact Finding Joint Fact Finding is a collaborative procedure for involving those affected by policy decisions in the process of generating and analyzing the scientific and technical information used to inform value- laden decisions.

13. + What Joint Fact Finding Does Bring together stakeholders (including decision- makers and experts) to seek agreement on: Nature of the problem What we know, don’t know, and need to know How to collect, analyze, and present information Produce information that is: Publically and politically credible Scientifically legitimate Relevant (useful or salient) An approach to resolve scientific disagreements and maximize public participation

14. + Stacie Nicole Smith Senior Mediator, CBI For More Information 617.844.1124 stacie@cbuilding.org - or - Visit us at www.cbuilding.orgwww.cbuilding.org