Why is stakeholder engagement important?

If we are to build a clean energy and industrial economy and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, we have to deploy technology and infrastructure on an unprecedented scale.

The level of deployment required holds enormous potential to drive economic development, technological innovation, and high-wage employment across the country, but an undertaking of this scale and scope also faces inherent challenges. One of the key challenges is growing local and community concern with energy and infrastructure projects.

That’s why the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) is committed to meaningful engagement with communities, tribes, and other stakeholders that enables them to contribute to and be active participants in local projects.

And that’s particularly important when it comes to communities adjacent to energy and industrial facilities that have long borne the brunt of pollution. 

Meaningful local engagement in project design and development helps ensure that projects can better deliver tangible environmental, economic, and social benefits to those communities. Local support will, in turn, contribute to project success and ultimately help enable the levels of deployment of clean energy and industrial projects needed to reach the Biden-Harris Administration’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Who is FECM engaging with?

FECM engages with various individuals, groups, and organizations, including:

• Communities and landowners
• Federal, state, local, and international governments
• Industry
• Labor unions
• Non-profits
• Media
• Researchers and academics
• Tribal nations and Alaskan Native corporations

How is FECM conducting meaningful engagement?

FECM approaches engagement in several ways, from participating in listening sessions and issuing requests for information to hosting workshops and providing technical guidance and resources.

Listening sessions and requests for information allow FECM to participate in valuable engagement with stakeholders to ensure that potential clean energy projects are responsive to the needs and priorities of communities.

We also hold technical workshops to provide scientific and technical information about approaches like carbon capture, carbon removal, and critical minerals for the energy transition, as well as information about how to participate in regulatory processes or project development opportunities.

FECM not only engages directly with various stakeholders, but we also require organizations that receive FECM funding to engage with communities to ensure the projects deliver benefits to communities and address community concerns.

So, FECM is committed to partnering with communities and stakeholders across the country to help advance energy security, technological innovation, economic growth, and high-wage jobs as we build a clean energy and industrial economy.

To learn more about our vision for domestic engagement read our Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Domestic Engagement Framework: Engaging Communities, Stakeholders, and Tribes in Clean Energy Technologies.

How do I get involved?

There are several opportunities for individuals and organization to engage with and provide input regarding FECM related programs and initiatives.

1. Apply to review FECM funding opportunity applications
2. Attend or participate in a FECM hosted event
3. Provide feedback to a FECM request for information
4. Sign up for FECM emails to stay up to date on the latest engagement opportunities

Original source can be found here.