March 4 marked the first renewable energy regional workshop and bus tour hosted by the Center for Energy Education, Purdue Extension community development and CN Consulting.
Program participants traveled to White County to learn from a workshop, a panel with local leaders and a bus tour of Indiana Crossroads Wind Farm and Indiana Crossroads Solar Park.
The workshop featured four presentations: “State of the Energy Industry” by Connie Neininger from CN Consulting, “Overview of Local Planning and Permitting” by Tamara Ogle from Purdue Extension, “Agrivoltaics” by Starke County farmer Billy Bope and “Economic Impact of Renewables” by Lee Lewellen from Lewellen Progress Strategies.
Participants learned about Indiana’s current energy environment and utility-scale renewable energy developments. This information can help communities plan and set policy for renewable energy.
“Educating public officials and community leaders and preparing them to navigate renewable energy projects is key,” said Lisa Dan, Midwest outreach director for the Center of Energy Education. “We must provide them with the tools necessary to make the best and most informed decisions for their communities.”
I recognize the importance of transparency and collaboration in the local planning and permitting process. Hearing the story about how White County's first wind farm was established 15 years ago made me realize that when all stakeholders come together, a lot can be accomplished and most people will be satisfied with the results. Too often residents feel that everything has been concealed and therefore don't trust their own leadership.
- Lana Zimmer, program participant and vice-chairman for the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Jasper-Newton Foundation
The program is part of the Indiana Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) initiative, which is led by Purdue Extension community development, with support from nine, Indiana-based partners. Upcoming R-STEP events can be found here.
The next workshop and bus tour events will take place on June 2 in Randolph County and August 14 in Clinton and Tipton Counties. The next workshop will be April 24 in Sullivan, Indiana. Registration will be required and will be available on the R-STEP website with more information a month before each workshop. More information, including how to request accommodations or an interpreter or translator, will also be available.
Indiana is experiencing an energy transition with an increasingly diverse electricity generation fuel mix and new technologies. The Department of Energy (DOE) has released funding to support communities through this transition. This requires a network of stakeholders to collaboratively develop resources about how wind and solar renewable energy may fit into the local landscape and to support local decision-making. Learn more about R-STEP's ongoing projects here.