Large-Scale Solar Series for Planners and Municipal Officials #1: Working effectively with the Community/Municipality/Developer

Wednesday, July 9, 2025, 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM

Large-scale renewable energy projects present many challenges for municipal officials and planners. Good communication and coordination between all stakeholders can be crucial for these projects to move forward without creating strong feelings that can divide a community. Our presenters will talk about how to establish an effective framework for bringing all stakeholders into the process and resources available through NYSERDA to help municipalities navigate the process.

Instructor's bios: Jessica Bacher is the Executive Director of the Land Use Law Center at Pace University, which is "dedicated to fostering the development of sustainable communities and regions through the promotion of innovative land use strategies and dispute resolution techniques". She is also a trainer for the Center’s award-winning Land Use Leadership Alliance Training Program and a Lecturer and project supervisor at Yale School of the Environment, where she manages the school’s Land Use Clinic. Neely Kelly is a Senior Manager for Stakeholder Relations for the AES Corporation where she leads community engagement efforts for large-scale solar projects across the Northeast. Jennifer Manierre is the Director of Clean Energy Siting with NYSERDA, where she oversees the team responsible for creating resources and providing support for communities around large-scale renewable energy projects, including solar and storage.