Rural America is home to nearly all of the nation’s energy production, including oil drilling, fracking for natural gas, coal power plants, wind turbines, and solar farms. Meanwhile, many rural landscapes are comprised of forests, farms, and rangelands that can capture carbon. However, rural residents are rarely included in conversations about the future of energy. Many residents also earn less on average than urban residents, and spend a higher percentage of their income on energy bills.
We started diving into these issues from 2014-2016, with the Rural Climate Dialogues. In Stevens, Itasca, and Winona Counties, we convened small groups of residents in each community to learn more about the local impacts of climate change. Then in 2016, we hosted the Rural Climate Dialogues State Convening, where participants from each community worked on recommendations with state agencies and nonprofits. A top priority from the State Convening was to “plan for our future energy transition”
To help communities accomplish this goal, and create an energy future works for everyone, we started the Rural Energy Dialogues in late 2017.
PROJECT SNAPSHOT
- Location: Redwood, Stevens, Itasca, and Winona Counties, Minnesota
Scope: Community
History: December 2017-present
No. of Juries: 3
No. of Jurors: 18 in Redwood, 18 in Itasca, 19 in Winona
Recruitment: random selection
No. of Community Forums: 2
No. of Forum Participants: 100
Recruitment: open invitation
Targeted participants: general public
Target outcome: public report
Partners & Funders
The project is a collaboration between the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and the Jefferson Center, and funding is provided by the McKnight Foundation, the Bush Foundation, and the Carolyn Foundation.
Our Approach
Redwood County
Our second round of Rural Energy Dialogues kicked off in September 2019. This dialogue, which took place from September 12-14 in Redwood County, looked a bit different from our previous events (see below) that more generally explored the future of energy in rural counties. 18 randomly selected and demographically representative Redwood County community members gathered for 2.5 days to specifically learn more about and discuss opportunities and considerations for local wind development.
Some were drawn to the discussion because they were already pursuing wind development on their land, while others wanted to learn more about the issues or connect with their community. To kick off the dialogue, participants went around and listed what made them proud to live in Redwood County. Repeated over and over was the “the sense of community” and “good neighbors and friends.” This sentiment was immediately illustrated by the laughter, smiles, and general willingness of the group to listen and connect with one another, no matter what views or prior knowledge they had entered the room with.
On the first few days, expert speakers talked about how energy development happens, how it impacts county and landowner finances, design guidelines, and most importantly, how these topics are experienced and perceived by community members. You can view the presentations and materials used by participants here.
By the end of the event, participants had identified opportunities and priorities for Redwood County’s energy future. Participants were also asked to answer the question, “Based on what you’ve learned through this experience, do you feel residents should support expanded/future wind development efforts/projects in Redwood County?”
Here’s how they voted:
Yes, under most circumstances/whenever possible – 56% (10 votes)
Yes, but only if certain conditions are met/put in place – 44% (8 votes)
No, not under any circumstances – 0% (0 votes)
In a statement to their neighbors about the event, they wrote:
Request Redwood County Energy Dialogue ReportIf we get started with thoughtful exploration of expanded wind development in Redwood County now, we can move ahead faster. It’s time to move forward.
Stevens County
On December 6, 2017, we hosted Our Energy Future: Stevens County, a three hour open community forum where attendees learned about the basics of the energy system, discussed energy goals, and brainstormed ways to achieve their goals.
Mike Reese, Director of Renewable Energy at the West Central Research and Outreach Center, gave an “Energy 101” presentation. Brian Draxten, Director of Resource Planning at Otter Tail Power, discussed how the utility makes resource decisions and how they see the energy future. Finally, Blaine Hill, Morris City Manager, discussed the city’s efforts to make Morris climate-smart, as well as their expanding partnership with the city of Saerbeck, Germany.
Community members focused on a few main themes: renewable energy, energy efficiency and behavior change, batteries and energy storage technology, district heating, and local energy ownership. But the question remained: what would these energy system goals look like in reality in Stevens County?
At our second three hour conversation in February, Our Energy Future: Ideas to Action, we dove deeper into energy priorities, where experts highlighted key features of each of their energy goals, and attendees outlined the benefits, challenges to be overcome, and action steps of each goal. Finally, participants voted on the areas they’d like the community to address first, with energy efficiency/behavior change and district heating at the top.
Request Stevens County Energy Dialogue ReportIt was inspiring to me to see that many people who had not discussed these things together in the past had uncovered shared energy goals.
-Our Energy Future: Stevens County Participant
Itasca County
On May 18-19, 2018, we convened a diverse group of 18 Itasca County community members to learn about their local energy system, and make recommendations on ways it could be strengthened. We randomly selected 13 participants from a pool of Itasca County residents to reflect the demographic makeup of the county in terms of age, gender, education, political affiliation, and more, while 5 participants were chosen to represent public officials and others involved in Itasca County energy issues.
Over two days, participants studied their energy system in detail, assessed criteria for evaluating the energy system, identified challenges and opportunities related to the energy system in Itasca County, and created action plans to help address challenges and realize opportunities.
Their top opportunities for the future of the local energy system included:
- Education of the general public and more community dialogues to create long term energy system improvements
- Educate customers so they can manage their resources more effectively, especially as smart grid and other new technologies are developed, implemented, and improved
- Provide incentives for more efficient use of energy, because these benefit individuals as well as the utilities.
I came away impressed with how diverse of a group we were, that we could come away with a common goal. That gives me hope for the community at large.
-Itasca Energy Dialogue Participant
Winona County
Similar to our Citizens Jury in Itasca County, the Winona County Energy Dialogue convened a group of 19 community members, with 13 participants to represent the demographics of the county, while 6 participants represented local officials and other involved in local energy issues. Over 2 days, they listened to experts discuss the local energy system, considered challenges and opportunities, and made plans for action.
Their top opportunities for strengthening the local energy system included:
- Education and involving the community
- Building local energy infrastructure
- Embracing new energy technology
I’m not an expert, but I feel way more well-informed. I’m looking forward to staying in connection with people here, and having conversations with people outside this room.
-Our Energy Future: Winona County Participant
Request Winona County Energy Dialogue ReportOutcomes
Rural Energy Dialogues are helping inform representative energy policy at the state, regional, and federal levels. The Jefferson Center and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, along with local partners and leaders, will work to identify resources and other forms of assistance to bring community energy recommendations to life.
The Dialogues help overcome overcome the misperception that all rural communities feel the same way about action on energy policy. Instead, rural Minnesota communities have the opportunity to tell a different story — one in which rural residents are powerful leaders in an energy future representing their needs and priorities
Recent Updates
- We worked with community members in Winona County to promote energy efficiency at the 2018 Frozen River Film Festival
- In Stevens County, our community partners gathered to host a screening of Switch, with free Chevy Bolt rides before the show