Powering Change: How You Can Support Renewable Energy in Your Community

“Governments and members of society have an obligation to exercise responsible stewardship of the earth, thereby protecting not only the wellbeing of their citizens, but also that of both future generations and other citizens of the planet.” Mormon Women for Ethical Government Principles of Ethical Government 2(f)

The demand for electricity in the United States is increasing — and with it, our responsibility to ensure that power comes from clean, sustainable sources. Every community depends on reliable energy for daily life, but as new technologies like AI data centers rapidly increase electricity use, we have the opportunity to power change in our communities and invest in renewable energy that protects our health, our economy, and our planet.

At the time of this publication, about 60% of our nation’s power is generated by fossil fuels — natural gas, coal, and petroleum — which release pollutants and greenhouse gases that harm human health and contribute to climate change. However, as of 2024, renewable energy generates about 21% of the nation’s power (although the share of renewable energy sources varies significantly by state). Despite petroleum being the most-consumed source of energy in the U.S. since 1950, renewables such as wind and solar are steadily increasing as more reliable and equitable sources of power.

Some states generate a large portion of their energy from renewable sources, like California, with 49% of electricity from solar, and South Dakota, with more than 42% of electricity from wind. While the federal government provides the oil industry with substantial subsidies that keep fossil fuels as the main source of energy in the U.S., state and local governments play a central role in regulating retail electric service, facility planning, and renewable energy project siting in their communities. 

Many Western states contain large areas of public land that are regulated primarily at the federal level (with some opportunities for community input), while state lands are managed by state agencies and projects on private land are permitted by local jurisdictions. Developers must apply for approval and permits from whatever jurisdiction is in charge before beginning any renewable energy project, and some requirements overlap with federal, for example, which supersedes the local governments.

Because of this local authority, enacting renewable energy efforts within your community and helping to dispel the myths about renewable energy can have a direct and lasting impact on both the environment and the community where you live. 

Beyond the health and environmental benefits of renewables, there are communal benefits as well. For example, transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy creates career opportunities for technicians, electricians, and long-term operation staff; it increases local tax revenue, provides additional funding for public schools, offers income to landowners who host energy projects on their land, and allows communities an opportunity to build a stronger connection to local infrastructure. 

In many states across the country, citizens just like you envision a clean, sustainable, and beneficial power infrastructure for their cities and towns. While the federal government is cutting funds and programs that facilitated much of the recent increase in renewable energy, it is important to realize that the greatest impact you can have is at the local and state levels — where energy production is zoned, permitted, and regulated.

What you can do:

1. Develop an ordinance to provide a renewable energy framework for your city council or county board. American Clean Power, Columbia University, and others have organized model ordinances for public use. Citizens can also use these models to ascertain whether their local jurisdiction is incorporating best practices in its ordinances. This is important because one of the leading causes of cancellation for solar and wind projects is local ordinances or zoning. Ensuring ordinances are created well is essential to increasing clean power in your community.

2. Learn about your community’s sustainable energy goals. Find information about energy goals in your local power company reports or city power master plan — do they align with yours? Electric utilities, the companies users pay for electricity every month, serve you as a customer; tell them you support increased renewables like wind and solar in powering your home. 

3. Contact your elected officials and ask them to support renewable energy policies. Write your county commissioner, city council, state representatives, and your public utilities regulators explaining why you think renewable energy is a good thing for your community. Ask them what actions they are taking to support clean energy, and stay up to date on bills, renewable energy incentives, and public utilities actions in your state, voicing your support. Your voice matters.

In 2024, about 300 anti-renewable bills were introduced in 47 state legislatures across the nation to restrict wind and solar energy development. Fortunately, only about 13% of those bills were signed into law, allowing the vast majority of renewable energy projects to continue. But this demonstrates the importance of being informed and voicing your opinions at the local level.

Advocacy in action

MWEG members across the country are implementing these strategies and raising their voices to have a positive impact on the renewable energy projects in their communities.  

Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission in Arizona

A big grassroots victory came when Navajo County, Arizona, passed a well-researched, balanced ordinance supporting renewable energy projects. Before its passage, our members submitted comments to the Navajo County Planning and Zoning Commission, clearly outlining the many benefits of utility-scale renewable energy projects — from job creation and tax revenue to affordability and water conservation. Shortly after, MWEG members and other advocates witnessed a remarkable shift: Local commissioners who had once opposed renewable energy projects began to view Navajo County’s ordinance as a model for neighboring counties. While some advocates acknowledge the ordinance isn’t perfect, it represents a significant step forward and a hopeful example of what citizen advocacy can achieve.

Energy grid win in Nevada

Another notable win came when MWEG members learned about Nevada’s proposed S.B. 448. MWEG members raised their voices in support of this legislation, emphasizing the vital importance of environmental stewardship. S.B. 448 is a renewable energy bill focused on developing large-scale transmission and substation infrastructure to expand Nevada's energy grid and facilitate the transport of renewable energy both across the state and to neighboring regions. As part of their advocacy, our members worked closely with stakeholders and submitted comments to the Senate Growth and Infrastructure Committee, published an op-ed, and remained engaged throughout the process until the legislation was successfully passed. 

Engagement with Mesa battery energy storage system ordinance

In Mesa, Arizona, local officials are drafting an ordinance that will allow battery energy storage systems in their city. Battery energy storage systems can provide stability to power grids during outages and emergencies. The current systems are considered safe due to advancements in technology and regulatory safety standards. A Mesa constituent submitted comments to the city council on behalf of MWEG, asking the city to consider model ordinances that prioritize safety standards, good neighbor policies, and environmental impacts. After reading the letter, a city official reached out to ask for further feedback, demonstrating the willingness of local officials to engage with public comments and the necessity of speaking out.

These examples show that informed, engaged citizens can drive meaningful progress toward cleaner, more sustainable energy. Whether you’re learning about your city’s energy goals, writing to your elected officials, or supporting fair ordinances, your voice has power. As MWEG teaches, we are interconnected with the earth and each other — and together, we have both the moral and civic responsibility to steward its resources wisely.