Course: BFM 101 Biofuels Fundamentals

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Involvement versus Decision-making
Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Develo…

Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Development
Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Development

"BIOEN4: Sustainable Development," by AgEnergy, Standard YouTube License

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Communities have various regulations regarding public input to development projects. Public involvement in bioenergy development can range from no input to a great deal of involvement in project design and development. The authors of this curriculum believe that projects are more likely to be successful if there is ample opportunity for community engagement, and if the concerns of the community are addressed early in the development process. To this end, we have created a suite of tools for Extension and other community-based educators to help promote community and stakeholder engagement to evaluate options for renewable energy development. Each of these tools serves a different and specific function:
- The Community Assessment Checklist provides a beginning point for community decision-makers and stakeholders to begin evaluating the capacity of the community to embark on renewable energy or bioenergy opportunities;
- The Bioenergy & Renewable Energy Community Assessment Toolkit provides discussion guides to facilitate community involvement in decision making about bioenergy and renewable energy options, and brings to the forefront potential community concerns using a triple bottom line analysis; and
- The Renewable Energy Community Preparedness Index works best with a specific example or proposal for a development, and guides a community task force or energy committee through a formal rating process to evaluate community preparedness and to highlight those areas where a community can improve its readiness to embark on bioenergy or renewable energy developments.

Community Assessment Checklist for Renewable Energy

A first step for communities interested in developing renewable energy generation opportunities is to examine the community’s assets, preparedness, and general willingness to embark on renewable energy developments. The community assessment checklist allows decision-makers, stakeholders, or a formal study group/task force to do an initial assessment of the community’s capacity for such development. The checklist proposes questions in six categories:

1. Public policy,
2. Organizational capacity,
3. Cooperative development and leadership,
4. Developer and technology history,
5. Community support, and
6. Siting, infrastructure, and operational considerations.

Resources provided by the eXtension Farm Energy Community of Practice at http://www.extension.org/ag+energy

Involvement versus Decision-making
Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Develo…