Course: BFM 101 Biofuels Fundamentals

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Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Develo…
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Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Development Continued
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The Bioenergy & Renewable Energy Community Assessment Toolkit

The Community Assessment Toolkit (referred to here as the matrix) is a community-based assessment tool for Extension Educators and other facilitators of community discussions. The tool addresses bioenergy opportunities and uses a triple-bottom line approach.

The matrix assessment provides a method for community decision-makers and interested stakeholders to evaluate options for renewable energy and bioenergy development prior to proceeding with any specific development.  By working through the matrices, stakeholders will gain a sense of what could work for their own communities, what issues might arise for particular constituencies, what areas warrant further study or detailed analysis, and how benefits and costs are distributed locally and regionally.

The matrix assessment can be regarded as a pre-feasibility study, and should not be confused with a full-scale feasibility study of a proposed development.  The matrices are intended to be used as a facilitation tool for community discussions. Depending on the situation, the matrices might be used in a variety of different settings and by various users, including:

- As a pre-assessment tool for proposed renewable energy developments;
- As an educational tool for local planning boards and decision makers to highlight potential issues;
- As a reference tool for local decision makers to identify parties potentially affected by a new/proposed development;
- As a checklist for local land owners and entrepreneurs considering investing in renewable energy development,  to help them think holistically about their proposals and anticipate community concerns; and
- As handouts at public meetings where a diversity of opinions are sought.

The matrices can be used with other tools and techniques employed by local leaders, planners, and community and economic development professionals, such as:

- Community education and discussion forums about energy production and use, and the potential for bioenergy;
- SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) process to evaluate resources available to a community;
- Identification of stakeholders to form a task force, study group, or energy planning committee, which will do a more thorough analysis of energy options than a large community gathering would be able to pursue; and
- Community checklist tools for evaluating a particular facility or development.

Renewable Energy Community Preparedness Index

Communities considering renewable energy projects must evaluate their level of preparedness in advance of any feasibility planning, and, if necessary, take steps to prepare. The Renewable Energy Community Preparedness Index helps community decision makers evaluate their preparedness to produce or process biomass for energy. Community members can use the index to identify areas which require more discussion, planning and development. The index frames every statement as positive, so the respondent can readily identify areas which require attention. This is not meant to imply that all bioenergy projects are beneficial or suitable for a community. Our intent is to emphasize that each community is different, and it is up to the community itself to choose development pathways that are suitable, appropriate, and desirable.

Link:
The Renewable Energy Community Preparedness Index

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

Tools for Community Engagement in Bioenergy Develo…
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