Public input continues to be a priority for regulators as utilities seek assistance through initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Legislation mandating stakeholder involvement is becoming increasingly prevalent across the United States and presents a significant opportunity for utilities and cities to better engage the general public in their plans to upgrade infrastructure, increase safety and improve quality of life for their communities. As the transition to renewable energy accelerates, regulators are looking for award recipients to ensure everyone can have an equitable part in solving and benefiting from the complex challenges the industry is working to solve.  

Despite the complexities that can come with expanded community engagement and input, it’s critical for utilities across the country to actively strengthen relationships with community leaders and their customers to better understand the unique challenges and considerations their communities face as the energy transition forges ahead. As our communities experience an influx of electric vehicles and other distributed energy resources, there is tremendous opportunity to create more collaborative, inclusive and connected communities of the future. 

In this blog of Itron’s IIJA series, we’re discussing the importance of stakeholder engagement, actionable steps utilities can take and the role Itron can play in the process. Check out the additional blogs in our IIJA series here and keep reading for valuable insights to inform your utility’s application for IIJA funding.  

Community-Based Plans: What are they and why do they matter? 

A comprehensive outline of community engagement activities and stakeholder input processes is required in every application for IIJA. This documentation has been defined by the Department of Energy as a community-based plan (CBP). CBPs are based on a set of four core policy priorities: 

1. Engaging communities and labor; 
2. Investing in America’s workers through quality jobs; 
3. Advancing diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility through recruitment and training; and  
4. Implementing Justice40, which directs 40% of the overall benefits of certain Federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities.

According to the DOE, these fundamental principles are in place to promote equitable and widespread adoption in the shift to renewable energy. CBPs are deliberately designed to be adaptable, allowing for a compilation of the most effective strategies from the primary applicant, i.e. a utility, along with all participating stakeholders. It’s important for plans to be detailed, actionable and quantifiable as they typically account for 20 percent of the proposal evaluation. It is also critical to articulate the community feedback in your grant application, which can be a key differentiator in project scoring and determine if it receives a grant.  For grant applications focused on the deployment of clean energy infrastructure, this percentage is divided equally into four parts: success of the project, efficient allocation of taxpayer money, prompt execution of the project and enhancement of private sector engagement in initiatives funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). 

To develop a robust CBP, foster mutually beneficial community relationships and obtain stakeholder input, here are a few key steps your utility should consider: 

Start by identifying disadvantaged communities in your utility’s service area. 
As discussed in our previous Justice40 blog, a community qualifies as disadvantaged if the census district is above the threshold for one or more environmental or climate indicators in addition to socioeconomic indicators including but not limited to low income, high rent burden, members or groups that have historically experienced discrimination on the basis of race or ethnicity, etc.3 Utility companies have access to essential data for populations in their service area, which positions them to ensure that these communities are positively impacted by the shift to renewable energy. Identify the federal climate and economic indicators for your specific area using the tool here.  

Ensure your outreach is accessible to the audiences you’re trying to reach. 
While the measurable criteria of these communities is available by state, a more substantial effort is needed to understand their specific challenges. It’s critical for outreach to be conducted in a community's preferred language and in a way that is digestible and straightforward. Employing an outreach coordinator who resides within your service area and has demonstrated experience in connecting with the local community is one way to approach this. Outreach coordinators can help facilitate positive interactions and successful communication between utilities and their local communities. 

Collaborate with local organizations.  
The sole act of inviting communities to provide input during the planning process isn’t enough. Effective community engagement requires continued collaboration to develop and execute initiatives that evenly spread advantages among those communities. Community organizations, such as non-profits, colleges, school districts, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), transit districts, etc., make great partners for utilities that are taking on this work, as they are already on the ground and actively implementing outreach within their communities.  

Establish a reporting framework. 
A well-structured reporting framework is essential. After funding is awarded, the governing agency will require a thoughtful and detailed reporting plan to lend visibility and transparency into the project's implementation. Articulating a framework that incorporates feedback and strategies from each stakeholder is critical in the grant application. It also gives you a head start in the negotiation phase and execution of the grant award. Below is an example of the benefits metrics from the Department of Energy. 

How Itron Can Help 
Collaboration between utilities and their key stakeholders on IIJA program application and deployment can result in quicker roll outs, reduced project costs and maximized outcomes. With our seasoned expertise, Itron can help your utility connect with the local community and make the most of IIJA funding while supporting the facilitation and buy-in process along the way. To learn more about proven Itron solutions and technologies that are compatible with IIJA funding, improve quality of life and reduce carbon emissions, check out the most recent blogs in our IIJA series: IIJA and Justice40: Empowering Utilities to Invest in Communities and Key Drivers of the Energy Transition? Utilities, MPOs and IIJA Funding. 

For more information about Itron solutions and IIJA, stop by Itron booth 2200 at DISTRIBUTECH 2024 from Feb. 27-19 in Orlando, FL or reach out to Dave Stensland, business development director, IIJA.