New report: Community partnerships key to expanding America’s electric grid – Clean Air Task Force

Report on Community Benefit Frameworks for Sustainable Energy Infrastructure

Executive Summary

A report by the Environmental Defense Fund and Clean Air Task Force, titled “Beyond the Wires: Community Benefits from Transmission Projects,” analyzes the role of Community Benefit Frameworks (CBFs) in developing electric transmission projects. The findings indicate that early and meaningful community engagement is crucial for aligning infrastructure projects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to energy, climate, and sustainable communities. By tailoring benefits to local priorities, developers can reduce delays, build trust, and deliver lasting value, thereby accelerating the transition to a sustainable energy future.

Aligning Infrastructure with Global Sustainability Targets

The rapid expansion of the U.S. electric transmission system is a prerequisite for achieving SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 13 (Climate Action). The Department of Energy’s 2024 Transmission Study highlights a significant gap between the required 5,000 miles of new high-capacity lines per year and the 300 miles constructed last year. This report posits that integrating CBFs into the development process can overcome local opposition, a primary cause of delays, by fostering partnerships and ensuring projects contribute positively to local communities.

Key Findings from Case Studies on Sustainable Partnerships

Analysis of six successfully constructed transmission lines reveals several best practices for integrating community benefits and advancing the SDGs:

1. Early Engagement and Localized Benefits: The Vineyard Wind (MA) project demonstrates how early partnership with local government to fund sewer upgrades and water quality protection secured community support. This approach directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by improving local infrastructure and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by building trust and preventing conflict.
2. Innovative and Equitable Partnerships: The West of Devers (CA) project established a co-ownership model with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians. This advances SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by promoting Tribal sovereignty and ensuring shared economic benefits.
3. Proactive Conflict Mitigation: The Big Eddy-Knight (WA/OR) project financed land conservation to avoid litigation, while the Mona-to-Oquirrh (UT) project rerouted lines following disputes. These actions underscore the importance of proactive measures to build peaceful and inclusive societies as outlined in SDG 16.
4. Long-Term Community Investment for Resilience: The Sunrise Powerlink and Sycamore-Peñasquitos (CA) projects reinvested profits into local clean energy programs. This strategy strengthens long-term community resilience and promotes local access to clean energy, contributing to both SDG 7 and SDG 11.

Strategic Recommendations for Future Development

To ensure future transmission projects effectively contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals, the report recommends the following strategic approaches:

• CBFs should be considered a fundamental component of the development process, serving as a catalyst for achieving SDG 17 by treating communities as essential partners.
• Flexible ownership, financing models, and supportive regulatory frameworks are critical to securing community support and delivering on the promise of SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Developers must consult with trusted local representatives to address community needs, ensuring projects are delivered on time and contribute to building strong institutions under SDG 16.
• Future planning should explore regional negotiation, track long-term community outcomes, and prioritize equity across diverse populations to fully realize SDG 10.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article focuses on expanding the electric transmission system to support the transition to clean energy and deliver low-cost power. This directly relates to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The core topic is the development of critical infrastructure—specifically, new high-capacity transmission lines. The article emphasizes the need to build resilient infrastructure to support economic growth and a clean energy grid.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • The article highlights the importance of community engagement, partnerships with local towns (e.g., Town of Barnstable), and delivering local benefits like sewer upgrades and water quality protections. This aligns with making communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.
4. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The expansion of the electric transmission system is presented as a crucial step to “safeguard against the worst impacts of climate change” by enabling the “rapid development and deployment of low-carbon energy.”
5. SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
   • The report’s main argument is that early engagement, fair benefit distribution, and innovative partnerships (like co-ownership with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians) build trust and avoid conflict. This promotes inclusive and participatory decision-making.
6. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The entire concept of Community Benefit Frameworks (CBFs) is built on partnerships between developers, local communities, and civil society organizations (like EDF and CATF). The case studies are explicit examples of successful public-private-community partnerships.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.b: By 2030, expand infrastructure and upgrade technology for supplying modern and sustainable energy services for all.
   • The article directly addresses this by stating the U.S. needs “about 5,000 miles of new high-capacity lines each year” to deliver low-cost, clean power.
2. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being.
   • The focus on building new transmission lines to “keep the grid reliable” and “support economic growth” is a direct reflection of this target.
3. Target 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • The recommendation for developers to engage communities early, tailor benefits to local priorities, and treat them as “true partners” aligns with enhancing participatory planning for infrastructure projects affecting settlements.
4. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.
   • The article frames the expansion of the transmission grid as a fundamental part of the national strategy to “transition to clean energy” and address climate change.
5. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • The case studies, such as the partnership with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians to advance Tribal sovereignty and the engagement with the Town of Barnstable, exemplify inclusive and participatory decision-making in infrastructure development.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The report itself is a product of a partnership between two civil society organizations (EDF and CATF), and its findings champion partnerships between project developers (private sector) and communities (public/civil society).

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 7.b: Miles of new high-capacity transmission lines built annually.
   • The article provides a clear metric by contrasting the needed “5,000 miles” per year with the “just over 300 miles” that were actually built, offering a quantifiable measure of progress.
2. Indicator for Target 9.1: Number of successful transmission projects completed without costly delays.
   • The article presents five case studies covering “six successfully constructed transmission lines” as evidence that community benefit frameworks work, implying that project completion rates are a key indicator.
3. Indicator for Target 11.3 & 16.7: Implementation of Community Benefit Frameworks (CBFs) and delivery of local benefits.
   • The article implies that progress can be measured by the adoption of CBFs and the successful delivery of specific community investments, such as “host community payments,” “sewer upgrades,” “water quality protections,” “land conservation,” and reinvestment of profits into “local clean energy programs.”
4. Indicator for Target 17.17: Number and type of partnerships formed between developers and communities.
   • The article provides concrete examples that can be used as indicators, such as the “co-owned assets with the Morongo Band of Mission Indians” and the partnership between “Vineyard Wind” and the “Town of Barnstable.”

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: catf.us