In March 2024, six state-based projects were selected to receive funding in the first of three rounds of awards under the Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The R-STEP program, which now includes 16 state-based teams nationwide, aims to provide fact-based siting processes for renewable energy developers and permitting authorities when looking to develop large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. The NC Clean Energy Technology Center (NCCETC) was awarded $2 million in funding over three years to lead a project under the R-STEP program, titled the Carolinas Renewable Energy Development Assistance and Siting Hub (C-DASH), that encompasses both North Carolina and South Carolina – the only multistate project in the R-STEP Program.

NCCETC has partnered with the NC State Cooperative Extension, Center for Energy Education, South Carolina State Energy Office, Southeastern Wind Coalition, North Carolina State Energy Office, and the Carolinas Clean Energy Business Association to meet the project goals.

The Center has created the first phase of an online technical assistance hub that provides resources for individuals located in North Carolina and South Carolina. The project website currently includes information about the project and upcoming events, existing white papers on identified issues, a place to contact the team to request assistance, and an email list sign-up for individuals to receive more information.

The main hub will be launching in June and will provide a comprehensive overview of the project, a complete resource library that is regularly updated, a database of renewable energy ordinances in North Carolina and South Carolina, upcoming events, a form for technical assistance requests, and an FAQ section. The resource library will feature updated white papers, model ordinances, and other useful information. The technical assistance request form can be used to ask the NCCETC team to answer specific questions, assist with ordinance revisions, identify best practices, provide workshops on specialized topics, and more. 

To guide the development of this online resource, NCCETC has been holding local meetings in counties across North Carolina and South Carolina to inform residents about large-scale renewable energy developments and to gather feedback about local perspectives. The topics that generate the most interest at these meetings will help to determine additional resources provided on the website hub.

Justin Lindemann, Senior Policy Analyst at NCCETC says, “As we travel across both states, these meetings offer fact-based insights into the fundamentals of development, siting, and the technical aspects of solar and wind energy technologies. By providing accurate information and educational resources, local stakeholders will be able to then effectively engage in the development process, particularly as the scale and number of projects in the region expand.”

So far, nine local meetings have been held in the following locations:

• Granville County, Oxford, NC
• Johnston County, Smithfield, NC
• Pender County, Burgaw, NC
• Wayne County, Goldsboro, NC
• Duplin County, Kenansville, NC
• Person County, Roxboro, NC
• Horry County, Conway, SC
• Warren County, Warrenton, NC
• Williamsburg County, Kingstree, SC

Clean Energy Engineer at NCCETC, Anna Weitz, notes, “Attendees have been enthusiastic to learn about health and safety matters, the development process, decommissioning, batteries, transmission, land and wildlife impacts, and the potential positive outcomes for their county.”

Several additional meetings are planned for the coming months. Upcoming meeting dates can be found on the C-DASH website, NCCETC’s event calendar, or in the meeting RSVP form.

The Center for Urban Affairs and Community Services at NC State University has been conducting telephone surveys with North Carolina and South Carolina homeowners to further understand local perspectives, inform resource development, and enhance participation. The survey is confidential and asks residents about their awareness of renewable energy projects in the community and their views on the potential impacts of development. The surveys will be taken until early March, or until a sufficient number of responses are received. NCCETC staff are also surveying local government officials in the Carolinas to learn about the issues currently being considered in planning boards, county commissions and town councils relating to clean energy development.

Later this year, the Center will collaborate with project partners to plan education sessions and offer technical assistance to local governments throughout the region.

NCCETC looks forward to launching the fully developed online siting hub and providing citizens and local government officials throughout the Carolinas with accessible, fact-based resources that will serve to educate and advise future siting and permitting processes.