How Local Governments Can Maximize Clean Energy Investments

Cities and states are closely paying attention to the economic opportunities offered by the clean energy industry. Large-scale investments can translate to significant economic growth that local municipalities are eager to bring to their constituents. Karp Strategies has guided a wide spectrum of offshore wind stakeholders–from private developers and suppliers to state and local governments–to advance complex clean energy initiatives. Below are effective cross-sector strategies to equitably maximize the benefits of offshore wind:

Offshore Wind: Demystifying the Numbers

In the realm of economic growth and job prospects, distinguishing between genuine opportunities and inflated numbers can be a daunting task. Regional economies demand more precise projections to facilitate strategic planning, prepare workers, as well as establish training and manufacturing facilities.

That's where our Economic Impact Assessment services come in. Leveraging advanced input-output modeling tools such as IMPLAN, Lightcast, RIMS II, and JEDI, we assist our clients in charting the cascading effects of their investments and initiatives across various sectors, industries, and communities.

Our goal is not just to measure the economic impacts but to help our clients design strategies that align with their values and priorities. We collaborate to select the most suitable tools tailored to their industry and reporting needs—enabling us to assess the potential benefits and costs of diverse projects or initiatives, estimate the return on investment, and identify potential risks and trade-offs.

Utilizing Economic Impact Analyses to Advance Offshore Wind in New York

Our economic impact assessments play a fundamental role in assisting our clients in building more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive economies, aligning with our core mission.

In our recent work supporting several offshore wind developers and manufacturers vying for NYSERDA’s third solicitation, Karp Strategies took the lead in developing comprehensive projections for the economic and workforce development impacts of the proposed projects.

This involved generating estimates for the anticipated job creations, the engagement of minority- and/or Women-owned businesses, and the accessibility of jobs for residents in designated disadvantaged communities. Our quantitative assessments, coupled with extensive economic and stakeholder research, played a crucial role in shaping our clients’ New York Jobs and Workforce Plans and OEMs’ Supply Chain Investment Plan(s).

Securing Meaningful Community Benefits Agreements

Municipalities should broaden their focus beyond just creating jobs and economic outputs when considering the impact of investments. A crucial aspect that demands attention is the substantial community benefits investments being made, particularly in historically underserved communities where environmental injustice has been prevalent.

However, it's essential to recognize that not all CBAs are created equal. At Karp Strategies, we believe that CBAs must be co-designed with impacted communities and stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that investments are created equitably and are tailored to meet the diverse needs of the community.

When working with public, private, and community stakeholders to develop holistic community benefits strategies, we keep several core principles at the forefront of our work:

• Diverse representation. At the outset of any community benefits initiative is to develop an understanding of the full landscape of actors with a demonstrated history and connection to the community. Representatives should come from many different groups, and it’s the responsibility of the entity making the investment to conduct deep outreach to understand who should have a seat at the table.

• Upfront and ongoing inclusion. Engagement is a cornerstone of effective and successful community benefits strategies—from the initial steps as the process is being developed, through negotiations on the final structure of programs and investments, to ongoing community input as these strategies are implemented.

• Understanding economic impacts. Conducting an economic impact analysis is critical to understanding how the intersecting challenges—both historical and current—influence the way the impacts of major projects and investments manifest across communities.

• Centering equity. Environmental justice communities, disadvantaged communities, and those who have borne the burden of decades of pollution and environmental racism must be at the forefront of the transition to a clean energy economy—in terms of inclusion, impact, and benefits.

• Structured implementation. We focus on the long game when developing community investment and benefits strategies, incorporating accountability benchmarks, outlining the strategic dispersal of funds, and planning for the long lifetime of projects.

What do community benefits strategies look like in action?

Karp Strategies is proud to showcase two recent examples of community benefits work highlighted below—the development of Equinor Wind US’s Offshore Wind Ecosystem Fund and the Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Green Economy Fund.

Equinor Wind US: Offshore Wind Ecosystem Fund

In 2022, Karp Strategies worked with Equinor Wind US to conceive and initiate the company’s community benefits strategy, setting it up to deliver on the $47 million in community benefits and $25 million in environmental research commitments made to New York State. As a result of this collaborative effort, the $5 million Offshore Wind Ecosystem Fund was launched. This fund was purposefully created to make targeted investments in historically marginalized communities and environmental justice areas within New York City.

Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE): Green Economy Fund

Karp Strategies, with our partner Empowering Work Advising (EWA), launched and is administering the $40 million Champlain Hudson Power Express (CHPE) Green Economy Fund. This government-sponsored project is designed to support disadvantaged communities, low-income individuals, and transitioning fossil fuel workers in accessing and building careers in New York State’s green economy. The Green Economy Fund will finance workforce development programs and organizations providing wrap-around services that support workers in these target communities to access good jobs in the green economy.

Let us know how we can support you!

Karp Strategies' community benefits practice draws on our expertise across engagement, impact analysis, and strategy design to help our clients develop successful and equitable strategies that center the needs of diverse communities. Let us know how we can support your work!

Harnessing the Winds of Change: Insights from Recent Offshore Wind Conferences

By Rebecca Karp and Ian Straughter

Photo by Kevin Trimmer courtesy of American Clean Power. All rights reserved.

In the ever-evolving landscape of renewable energy, wind power stands at the forefront of sustainable solutions. Recent wind conferences, namely American Floating Offshore Wind Technical Summit and American Clean Power Association, have provided a platform to explore the critical facets of this burgeoning industry.

Here, we delve into the key takeaways illuminating the path forward in harnessing the full potential of wind energy:

1. Regional Collaboration: The Driving Force

At the AFLOAT conference, state leaders from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts unveiled their shared commitment to wind development in the Gulf of Maine. The collaboration among these states is a powerful testament to the potential of regional cooperation in achieving sustainable energy goals. At the ACP conference, a groundbreaking announcement outlined a tri-state offshore wind procurement involving Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. This regional partnership underscores the importance of collaboration in moving the industry forward and harnessing the full potential of offshore wind projects.

2. Embracing Diversity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion have become foundational principles within the offshore wind industry. At both conferences, a resounding commitment to equal access and opportunity echoed through the sessions. Initiatives like NYSERDA's offshore wind workforce development website demonstrated how to provide accessible training programs and career pathways information within the industry. From designing safety equipment for all genders and body shapes to targeted education and recruitment efforts, the industry is taking inclusive approaches to heart. It's a clear sign that offshore wind aims to be a welcoming industry for all.

3. Advancing Research and Technology

The future of wind energy predominantly hinges on technological innovation, especially in floating technology. Various entities, from the US Department of Energy to state agencies and private organizations, are dedicating substantial resources to research and development (R&D). Notably, the University of Maine's pioneering research into floating technologies leads the way, showcasing our collective commitment to progress.

4. Ports: The Backbone of Offshore Wind

Our nation's ports are critical to the success of offshore wind projects. Investment is required to maintain their state of good repair and prepare them for their role in renewable energy operations. Whether it's readying marshaling ports or construction sites, ensuring that ports are fully equipped for renewable energy applications is a top priority. These ports will serve as the lifelines of the offshore wind industry.

5. The Power of Knowledge Sharing

Offshore wind remains a relatively unfamiliar concept to the broader public. Industry leaders must engage in an ongoing educational effort. At the conferences, it was clear that we share a deep and growing understanding of offshore wind within our industry. However, it's crucial to extend this knowledge beyond our professional circles. We must educate the public about the benefits and challenges of offshore wind and ensure a smooth transition to a more sustainable energy economy.

These conferences have reaffirmed the unwavering dedication of the wind industry to a sustainable future. A collaborative approach positions offshore wind as a dynamic force in the global transition to cleaner energy. The wind sector is poised to fulfill its promise as a leader in the renewable energy revolution by creating equal access to opportunity, advancing research, fortifying infrastructure, and engaging in extensive knowledge sharing.

Healthier Natural Waterfronts Reflect Community Well-Being

Proposed wetland restoration for Middletown, CT. Rendering courtesy of Cooper Robertson.

Waterfront ecosystems serve many essential environmental functions and benefit people and communities. For example, wetlands can help filter pollution from stormwater runoff, improve water quality, reduce erosion, and provide habitat and food for diverse species. As climate change makes some regions wetter and warmer, wetlands can also help mitigate tidal and rain-based flooding. Many studies show that increasing public access to water bodies and healthy waterfront ecosystems can provide mental and physical health benefits, such as reduced stress and improved concentration and memory. However, there are many societal barriers limiting equitable access to healthy waterfronts, such as zoning, structural racism, and misconceptions about designing for flood risk mitigation. Here are a few ways urban planners can help drive more equitable access and protect and restore healthy waterfront ecosystems.

Waterfront Access for Community Well-Being

Public waterfront access directly correlates to public health and well-being, especially in urban areas, including decreasing climate risks. Recent case studies in Amsterdam and Barcelona revealed that climate resilience and promoting social equity were the most valued aspects of public water spaces (by those attending the public workshops hosted for the study). These benefits depend on public awareness of waterfront access and increase as more people utilize them. Similarly, as more people access the waterfront and recognize its value, there is potential for public programming aimed at ecological remediation and education efforts.

Waterfront Alliance's WEDG Standard for Resilient, Sustainable, and Accessible Waterfront Development

The Waterfront Alliance’s Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG) certification provide guidance for equitable and environmentally friendly design along waterfronts, including public waterfront access and a unique category for natural resources. The goal for WEDG is to help reduce citywide flood and environmental risks, as well as drive economic value. It grants credit to redevelopment projects that plan to minimize impacts and improve biodiversity, with an emphasis on avoiding impacts to existing natural resources (i.e. preservation), as well as habitat restoration.

Community-Driven Solutions

Green engineering along the waterfront and public waterfront access are examples of mechanisms that foster the positive correlation between ecological health and communal well-being. This relationship is self-sustaining in that as an ecosystem grows and becomes more vibrant, it attracts engineering mechanisms and public efforts that will help it grow more so, thus attracting even more buy-in.

Especially in urban areas, waterfront access has not always been available to historically marginalized communities. Environmental racism negatively impacted community health and hampered preservation. Increased access to waterfronts is especially beneficial to marginalized communities through mitigating urban heat effects and flooding from extreme rainfall. It's important to make every effort to restore waterfront habitat, no matter how polluted the surrounding area is, because realistically, most urban waterfronts are highly contaminated.

Both the mechanisms of public waterfront access and green engineering should serve the natural and built ecosystems surrounding a site so ecological and human communities can flourish alongside each other. To this end, incorporating green engineering in waterfront designs should also lean on equitable community engagement. This approach is meant to ensure stakeholder input into a project’s vision, design, and implementation to create a welcoming and equitable waterfront for all.

Register for the Waterfront Conference on May 8 in New York City to learn more about equitable access at our waterfronts and creating a healthier environment.