Renewables Ready Communities Strategic Plan Services

The Vendor is required to provide renewables ready communities strategic plan services for include:
1. Assessment of renewable energy opportunities
• Identify and evaluate potential areas for renewable energy development (solar, wind and energy storage) across the state, including:
o Greenfields: undeveloped lands with minimal existing infrastructure.
o Brownfields: contaminated or former industrial sites suitable for energy projects.
o Rooftops and urban spaces: opportunities for distributed renewable energy generation in urban and suburban areas.
• Analyze innovative approaches, such as agrivoltaics and the use of state-owned lands, to maximize renewable energy deployment.
2. Barriers analysis and solutions
• Within the context of state current legal and policy framework, conduct a comprehensive review of barriers to renewable energy implementation, including policy, regulatory, economic (including development of quantitative cost estimates), and technical challenges.
• Provide clear, actionable recommendations to address each identified barrier.
3. Land requirements analysis
• Estimate the amount of land needed in each category to meet the 2030 and 2035 renewable energy targets, and the mi healthy climate plan goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
• Assess trade-offs and implications for land use, including potential conflicts with agriculture, urban development, and conservation.
4. Review of existing programs and literature
• Evaluate existing state programs related to renewable energy siting and development.
• Synthesize current literature, reports, and recommendations to build upon existing knowledge.
5. Strategic recommendations
• Develop a comprehensive renewable energy siting roadmap that outlines steps to achieve the 2030 and 2050 renewable energy goals, including:
o Policy and legislative actions.
o Incentives and funding mechanisms.
o Partnerships and community engagement strategies.
6. Comprehensive engagement
• Conduct workshops and focus groups with key entities, including state agencies, local governments, utilities, community organizations, and industry representatives.
• Integrate feedback into the final strategic plan.