In Fall 2023, Clean Air Task Force partnered with the Center for EmPowering Communities to host a series of Science of Siting workshops. These sessions brought together experienced practitioners and researchers to explore paradigm-shifting solutions for increasing community acceptance of renewable energy infrastructure. One promising idea was a “fair share” flexible mandate—a framework in which the state sets clean energy goals for localities but offers flexibility in how those goals are met, drawing on similar approaches from affordable housing and other policy areas.

Following the workshops, the Center for EmPowering Communities and Clean Air Task Force co-authored a white paper outlining a set of guiding principles for fair share energy policy. This is an early-stage but exciting concept, and we plan to continue refining and advancing the framework in collaboration with partners.

We thank and acknowledge the reviewers of this report, as well as those who participated in an October 2024 Workshop to flesh out the concepts: Brian Connolly, Tom Cook, Eli Gold, Douglas Jester, Noah Kazis, Madeleine Krol, Moksha Menghaney, Richard Norton, Emily Palacios, Nicole Pavia, Mark Wyckoff.