Sarah Mills, Director of the Center for Empowering Communities, submitted a policy recommendation to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), emphasizing opportunities for collaboration to address the effects of large-scale renewable energy projects on rural communities. In her recommendation, Mills outlined three primary challenges: the burdens placed on rural areas, the concentrated impacts on host communities, and the often unrealistic expectations surrounding these projects.

Mills advocates for expanded research into community impacts, enhanced community engagement, and policy solutions that balance state and local land use priorities. She also calls for funding to support community-driven planning processes, ensuring that rural communities have a stronger voice in shaping renewable energy development.

Policy Recommendation: USDA/DOE Collaboration Opportunities—Renewable Energy Siting (2024)