Implementing the Oregon Energy Strategy

Develop a Community Benefits Framework

Develop a community benefits framework at the Oregon Department of Energy that can be used as appropriate across the agency to address outreach and engagement, workforce needs, prioritizing environmental justice communities, and equitable practices (Cross-Cutting Action 12).

Federal uncertainty highlights the need for a formalized state community benefits framework that provides meaningful involvement with Environmental Justice communities as defined in HB 4077. Community Benefits Plans were required in many Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act grant funded programs. Changes in federal policy will likely result in community benefits plans no longer being required or funded by the federal government.

A community benefits framework would provide a foundation to continue supporting and funding community benefits through the state. It would provide an opportunity for ODOE-administered projects/programs to learn more about community needs and interests as well as direct benefits through metrics and then develop an implementation plan that carries those benefits throughout the life of the project. It could serve as a starting point for broader consideration of how to incorporate community benefits considerations in programs across the state. ODOE commits to applying the Equity and Justice Framework in developing and implementing the community benefits framework.

Working with Oregon State University

Oregon State University students conducted their capstone project to research what federal and state agencies have been doing to support community benefits for agency-led and supported projects, as well as for energy projects more broadly.

This project kicked off the development of a community benefits framework for ODOE’s internal use and helped to determine next steps and look to answer:

  • What types of community benefits are currently being provided by clean energy projects and programs in Oregon, and what are community expectations regarding benefits?

  • What approaches have federal and state agencies outside of Oregon used to develop community benefits frameworks for clean energy development, and how do these frameworks vary in their design features and development processes?

Key Takeaways

    1. Frameworks range between standardization and flexibility: There were no standardized approaches to community benefits frameworks across jurisdictions (e.g., mandatory versus voluntary approaches, project size thresholds, participation requirements).

    2. Communication and engagement matter: Early and sustained communication can help clarify expectations, build trust, and create opportunities for community input. However, the presence of engagement requirements does not necessarily result in meaningful participation. 

    3. Community capacity shapes participation: Some communities may lack the legal or technical expertise and political power needed to engage effectively in negotiating and implementing community benefits.

    4. Accountability and oversight remain underdeveloped: While some jurisdictions employ or recommend accountability mechanisms, many frameworks lack clear enforcement authority and long-term monitoring responsibilities.

    5. Economic and workforce benefits emerged as common priorities: Jurisdictions varied in the benefits recommended, though economic development and workforce and contracting equity emerged as the most common priorities across jurisdictions.

    1. Balance standards and flexibility: Establish a baseline set of requirements for community benefits while maintaining sufficient flexibility to allow communities to shape benefits according to local needs and circumstances.

    2. Require early and sustained engagement about community benefits: Set minimum requirements and expectations for how developers engage host communities.

    3. Provide legal and technical assistance to communities: Create a funding or support mechanism to provide legal and technical assistance to communities negotiating benefits.

    4. Strengthen accountability and oversight: Require an accountability and oversight process that includes community members in an oversight capacity.

    5. Require a community needs assessment: Require a community needs assessment process prior to community benefits implementation.

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Questions or comments?

Contact Lauren Rosenstein