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In chapter 5 of Climate of Contempt, I explain why local opposition to clean energy infrastructure is often self-interestedly logical and sincere. Understanding that truth and engaging local opponents — rather than denigrating or attempting to delegitmize them — will help move the energy transition forward. This page assembles news stories about local opposition to clean energy infrastructure. 

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Offshore Wind

As Southern Oregon opposition to offshore wind mounts, energy developers opt not to bid (OPB, September 25, 2024).

‘Rushed’ offshore wind energy project denounced by Oregon Senators Top Stories (kdrv.com, September 5, 2024).

Feds give final approval to Maryland offshore wind project (Maryland Matters, September 5, 2024).

New England fishermen steam over developing Gulf of Maine into offshore wind hub (Boston Herald, September 19, 2024).

Oregon tribe sues over federal agency plans to hold an offshore wind energy auction (AP News, September 16, 2024).

Onshore Wind

Lava Ridge wind farm project faces new setback Boise State Public Radio (Boise State Public Radio News, September 9, 2024)

Solar

Hanover County votes to deny 1,500-acre solar development (VPM, September 26, 2024).

City protests solar farm, says it will ‘cannibalize’ future growth (InMaricopa, September 25, 2024).

‘This is so wrong’: Residents speak against planned solar facility in Sykesville (Baltimore Sun, September 26, 2024).

Pahrump may see mass solar energy projects (Local Nevada | Local (reviewjournal.com), September 21, 2024).

Halifax County solar applications at a standstill (Local News (yourgv.com), September 20, 2024).

Developer appeals Hamden solar project denial from CT Siting Council (nhregister.com, September 23, 2024).

Georgia county rejects solar project near next to vital bear habitat (The Atlanta Journal Constitution (ajc.com), September 5, 2024).

Orange County denies Sunfish Solar application BayWa r.e.(Orange County Review, September 7, 2024).

Proposed solar project strains rural Kansas community’s bonds (Wichita Eagle, September 15, 2024).

Solar’s Growing Farmland Problem (Heatmap News, September 11, 2024).

Southern Indiana council votes against proposed solar farm (whas11.com, September 3, 2024).

Stark Solar evidentiary hearing begins before Ohio Power Siting Board (Canton Repository, September 17, 2024).

Tribes fear federal solar plan could threaten proposed Bahsahwahbee national monument (Nevada Current, September 4, 2024).

Transmission

No Room at the Table for Utility Consumer Advocates on $400M Project (InDepthNH.org, September 26, 2024)

Ameren Transmission Plans New High-Voltage Line Through Northeast Missouri (The Edina Sentinel, September 6, 2024)

China residents to vote on high-voltage power line ban after citizens’ petition (Portland Press Herald, September 4, 2024)

Controversial high-voltage Tucson Electric Power line OK’d (Arizona Daily Star (tucson.com), September 5, 2024)

Dominion Energy powerline project could be forced underground (wusa9.com, September 5, 2024)

Four Kansas GOP members working to blunt federal power on transmission line corridor (Kansas Reflector, September 13, 2024)

Plans for Maryland transmission line run up against land preservation goals Energy (bayjournal.com, September 16, 2024)

Renville County remains opposed to potential Minnesota power line route through county (West Central Tribune News, Weather, September 6, 2024)

Mining

BLM failing to consult on Arizona copper project, tribe says (E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net), September 23, 2024)

Deja vu comes to Arkansas as lithium follows oil (Grist, September 25, 2024)

CuMo exploration project could become an Idaho mine. Environmental groups are worried (Idaho Capital Sun, September 13, 2024)

Deep in the nation’s only nickel mine, industry fights to green its image (E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net), September 16, 2024)

Other

Georgia EV plant backed by the climate law sparks water war (E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net), September 24, 2024)

Enviros sue to block California hydrogen hub (E&E News by POLITICO (eenews.net), September 23, 2024)

A Battery Backlash Goes to Washington (Heatmap News, September 4, 2024)

Blazes May Lead to Bans on Batteries Key to Renewable Energy (Voice of San Diego, September 5, 2024)

Iowa water group sues Winneshiek County over digester zoning decision (Iowa Capital Dispatch, September 13, 2024)

Mass. Court Upholds Approval of Eversource Substation (RTO Insider LLC, September 16, 2024)

Navy’s efforts to revamp farmland in Gambrills latest energy project to draw opposition (Capital Gazette, September 3, 2024)

Ozark mountain residents opposing Arkansas’ first wind farm project (katv.com, September 2, 2024)

Chinese battery maker is supercharging Michigan politics (POLITICO Pro, September 13, 2024)

Republicans zero in on planned EV battery plant in Michigan to hit Democrats on China in battleground state (NBC News, September 6, 2024)

Sierra Club lawsuit challenges approval of Summit CO2 pipeline permit (Radio Iowa, Weather, September 13, 2024)

Summit faces skeptics at Waverly carbon pipeline meeting (The Gazette, Weather, September 10, 2024)

US judge unlikely to rule until next week as Arizona tribe fights to extend ban on lithium drilling (AP News, September 17, 2024)

Whirlpool plan for 3 turbines in Sandusky Co. irks residents (The Blade, September 10, 2024)

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Offshore Wind

Fisherman stage floating protest at Vineyard Wind site  (The New Bedford Light, August 25, 2024).

Protest against offshore wind held at Cisco Beach (MA)  (Nantucket Current, August 25, 2024).

Newport (RI) City Council to Hold Public Hearing for Offshore Wind Opponents to Voice Objections  (What’s Up Newport, August 22, 2024).

Fenwick Island (DE) considers joining lawsuit opposing wind project (wboc.com, August 21, 2024).

Coastal NC residents complain about offshore wind farm construction noise (wtkr.com, August 20, 2024).

Ocean City’s Escalating War Against Wind Power (Baltimore Sun, August 19, 2024).

Cape Codders Protest Wind Farm (Cape NPR, August 16, 2024).

Oregon NGO objects to US government offshore wind plans (Jefferson Public Radio, August 15, 2024).

‘Tense’ Public Hearing on Offshore Wind Port (ME) (Bangor Daily News, August 14, 2024).

NJ Congressman Leads Opposition to Offshore Wind Farm (BreakingAC.com, August 13, 2024).

Substation hearing morphs into (offshore) wind debate (Cape Gazette (DE), August 11, 2024).

Alot Was Riding on this Wind Farm. Then Giant Shards Washed Up in Nantucket (Wall Street Journal, August 9, 2024).

Coos County Oregon voter referendum on offshore wind development (Oregon Public Broadcasting, August 7, 2024).

Offshore Wind Opponents Seek to Form National Group (Reuters, August 7, 2024).

Onshore Wind

Iowa county changes wind zoning rules to eliminate proposed project (Siouxland Proud (August 27, 2024)

Idaho Attorney General will sue to stop wind project (Idaho Capital Sun (August 21, 2024)

Activists continue to rally against Wisconsin wind project (Dubuque (IA) Telegraph-Herald (August 17, 2024)

Wind Turbine group cancels open house amidst opposition (TX) (The Fayette County Record, August 8, 2024)

Opponents of Wisconsin wind project call meeting (The Monroe Times, August 6, 2024)

Neighbors Oppose Colorado Wind Farm Expansion (The Gazette, August 5, 2024)

Iowa County debates wind energy ordinance (Southeast Iowa Union, August 5, 2024)

Solar

Developer withdraws CT solar farm proposal after backlash (CT Insider, August 30, 2024).

Center for Biological Diversity criticizes BLM plans for solar development on public lands (Press Release, August 29, 2024).

Ohio city rejects zoning rules that would have authorized solar farm (Peak of Ohio, August 28, 2024).

Massive Ohio solar farm could see decision from Supreme Court (wcmh.com, August 27, 2024).

Neighbors concerned about lack of transparency with Nebraska solar farm (3NewsNow, August 27, 2024).

Vegas-sized solar project could come to Nevada’s smallest county; residents not thrilled (The Daily Indy, August 25, 2024).

Residents still oppose Rancho Viejo solar project despite changes (Santa Fe New Mexican, August 23, 2024).

New York town postpones decision on solar project (wvia.com, August 22, 2024).

Pennsylvania township rejects rezoning to permit solar farm (wvia.com, August 21, 2024).

Indiana community has mixed feelings about solar farm (whas11.com, August 21, 2024).

Southwest Louisiana lawmakers ask for hold on solar project (kplctv.com, August 18, 2024).

Kentucky county considers restrictions on solar development (Owesnsboro Times, August 14, 2024).

Maine proposes rules discouraging solar development on farmland (Bangor Daily News, August 14, 2024).

New Zoning Restrict Solar in Wichita Kansas (The Wichita Eagle, August 14, 2024).

Rockford (IL) Leaders Object to Solar Farm (Rockford Register Star, August 14, 2024).

City Council Holds Hearing on Solar Legislation Amidst Community Concerns (Peak Of Ohio, August 14, 2024).

Virginia County Board Rejects Solar Project (Mecklenberg News & Record, August 13, 2024).

Midwestern farmers who say yes to solar face neighbors wrath (Chicago Tribune, August 13, 2024).

Hunters and birdwatchers oppose Wisconsin solar farm (Outdoor Life, August 12, 2024).

Washington solar project paused amid concern about indigenous sites (High Country News August 12, 2024).

Michigan Town Considers Ordinance to Restrict Solar (abc12news.com, August 9, 2024).

Proposed Newton Township (PA) Solar Farm Draw Resident Opposition (Scranton Times-Tribune, August 9, 2024).

Proposed Agrivoltaics project stirs controversy in Ohio (Farm & Dairy August 8, 2024).

Indiana residents petition against solar farms (wlfi.com, August 7, 2024).

Connecticut siting board rejects solar project (New Haven Register, August 6, 2024).

Idaho solar project divides local community (Idaho Statesman, August 5, 2024).

Transmission

Opponents of MD transmission line confront business leaders at data conference (Maryland Matters, August 30, 2024)

Wisconsin residents speak against proposed transmission line (Sheboygan Press, August 26, 2024)

State legislator, others sue to stop transmission line (InDepthNH.com, August 19, 2024)

NH consumer advocate opposes power line upgrade (New Hampshire NPR, August 16, 2024)

AEP Hears from Passionate Putnam County (WV) Residents About Transmission Project (Metro News, August 13, 2024)

Legal fight over FERC transmission rule lands in 4th Circuit (E&E (Politico), August 12, 2024)

Frederick [MD] County Council members oppose transmission project (The Frederick News-Post, August 9, 2024)

Court overturns Illinois grant of permit for Grain Belt Express line (Farmweek News, August 8, 2024)

Appalachian Power’s new powerline plan causes concern (WSAZ NewsChannel3, August 7, 2024)

Some Oregon advocates push back against transmission upgrade (KGW8 News, August 6, 2024)

Mining

Tribal, Salmon groups intervene in Alaska Mining Suit (Law 360, August 26, 2024)

The Lithium Boom: What’s holding back a lithium rush in the U.S. (WBUR, August 26, 2024)

Navajo, AZ AG Question Safety of Uranium Mine (NPR, August 24, 2024)

Wisconsin County Rejects Proposal to Consider Mining on County Land (News From the States, August 22, 2024)

Apache group is Carrying a Petition to the Supreme Court to Stop a Mine (Inside Climate, August 22, 2024)

Judge blocks AZ lithium mine (Associated Press, August 21, 2024)

New environmental analyses for stalled MN copper mine (Associated Press, August 14, 2024)

Project our water or we’ll face the consequences (Nevada Current (commentary), August 13, 2024)

Colorado county approves permit for uranium exploration (Telluride News, August 9, 2024)

Arizona advocates worry about clean energy metals mining (Inside Climate News, August 9, 2024)

Tribe Sues Interior over lithium mining project, (Inside Climate News, August 8, 2024).

Other

Navajo Nation adopts changes to tribal law regulating the transportation of uranium across its land (AP News, August 30, 2024)

NGOs, residents object to reopening mothballed MI nuclear plant (Crain’s Detroit Business, August 29, 2024)

Some residents oppose curbside EV charging stations (Streetsblog NYC, August 29, 2024)

Critics still say Texas hydrogen gas plant would be a dealbreaker (Austin Monitor, August 29, 2024)

Portland residents concerned about blending hydrogen with natural gas (Oregon Capital Chronicle, August 27, 2024)

NM utility wants to invest in green hydrogen, but locals aren’t sold — yet (Bulltein of Atomic Scientists, August 26, 2024)

Iowa counties object to eminent domain for CO2 pipeline (Globe Gazette, August 26, 2024)

Colorado Community Concerns About Potential Geothermal Power Project (CBS News, August 22, 2024)

CA Regulator Extends Comment Period on Geothermal Project Amid Community Concerns (Holtville Tribune, August 20, 2024)

Louisiana advocate leading fight against hydrogen-fueled ammonia plant with carbon capture (The Floodlight, August 20, 2024)

Nebraska County Delcares Itself ‘Nuclear Friendly’ (North Platte Telegraph, August 19, 2024)

Summit CO2 Pipeline Set for Court Fight (The Gazette (IA), August 16, 2024)

NY town eyes moratorium on the renewable energy systems that utilize battery storage. (Lockport Union-Sun & Journal, August 16, 2024)

North Hempstead Bucks Long Island Trend of Battery Moratoria (Newsday, August 14, 2024)

DeSmog Blog objects to carbon capture funding in NM (DeSmog Blog, August 14, 2024)

Tracking Opposition to Battery Storage Project in San Juan Capistrano (CA) (Sierra Club Sage Chapter, August 13, 2024)

Idaho Battery Project Secures Financing. Will a NIMBY Fight Follow? (Power Engineering, August 12, 2024)

Choctaw Nation, OK residents stand against proposed hydroelectric plant (kxii.com, August 9, 2024)

Opposition to a Carbon Capture Project in Louisiana (Vox, August 9, 2024)

Five-state Battle Over CO2 Pipeline (Highland County Press (OH), August 8, 2024)

Proposed pumped storage hydro project picks up federal critic (Capital Press (WA), August 8, 2024)

Officials File Opposition to Proposed (AZ) Hydro Project (Mohave Valley Daily News (WA), August 7, 2024)

Opponents tell developer of Massachusetts battery storage to ‘leave’ (Greenfield Recorder, August 5, 2024)

Environmentalists, customers raise concerns over hydrogen project (Oregon Capital Chronicle, August 2, 2024)

Environmental advocates oppose new permit for Fremont digester (Michigan Advance, August 30, 2024)

Georgia Power biomass projects spark opposition (Capitol Beat, August 30, 2024)