By Leah Adelman and Jacob Elkin
Columbia Law School’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law has published an update to its Report on Opposition to Renewable Energy Facilities in the United States, which documents local restrictions on and opposition to the siting of renewable energy projects. The updated report highlights 121 local policies restricting new wind and solar across 31 states, along with 204 renewable projects that have been contested across 49 states, which represent 17.5% and 23.6% increases over the report’s September 2021 update. Mississippi was the only state without identified local opposition or restrictions.
Photo by Karsten Würth on Unsplash
Achieving a reduction of net US emissions of at least 50%–52% below 2005 levels by 2030, as President Biden has set out to do, requires unprecedented development of wind, solar, and other renewable energy facilities. Although host community members are often enthusiastic about renewable energy facilities’ economic and environmental benefits, local opposition can also arise. Understanding when and why communities oppose renewable development will be a key to expedited renewable deployment in the US.
Renewable Energy Projects Face Opposition in 49 States, Local Restrictions in 31 States
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