Latrobe Renewable Energy | Sacramento County, CA
Engagement Strategy
Latrobe is located in Sacramento County, which includes the State Capital - the City of Sacramento. This is a large county population-wise, with a population of 1,585,055. Our project area lies to the east of the City of Sacramento, and just east of Rancho Cordova (population of 64,776.) The project is planned for an unincorporated part of the county, which has a history of mining dating back to the gold rush era. There are residual environmental remediation issues in the area, and some ongoing surface mining activity today. This is not land zoned for agriculture, and much of it is brownfield land.
INITIAL STRATEGIC ANALYSIS:
Following is our BAM (Brave, Alert, Motivated) analysis. This tool helps focus our situational awareness on the most important, actionable factors.
INITIAL STRATEGIC ANALYSIS:
Following is our BAM (Brave, Alert, Motivated) analysis. This tool helps focus our situational awareness on the most important, actionable factors.
Brave - Why do we have confidence in success?
- Pro-renewable energy county and state. There is broad support from the county and state for renewable development. There are access points to political support at the county level from rank and file voters.
- This is in the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Sacramento County’s comp plan supports large scale develop in the county. This project is in an area zoned for utility scale solar, specifically on land that was previously used for mining.
- Location. This site is mostly brownfield land - we are not taking active ag land out of production, and we have no adjacent neighborhoods or communities that will be directly effected.
Alert - What threats or misperceptions do we need to overcome?
- Past uses and remediation. This land has a history of mining use, and potential soil pollution and site cleanup could delay or even derail a project in the area.
- Delay. The county planning department is overloaded, and the CEQA process is notoriously inconsistent. It is often used as a political tool by those seeking to delay the process or those seeking to utilize financial or political leverage via the process - like unions.
- Competing interests. Based on the land's unique location and zoning, and that it has an allowed residential land use on non-ag land, we face numerous competing interests.
Motivated - Which opportunities excite us?
- Environmental cleanup. Explore ways to make environmental cleanup of past uses a key project component.
- Drive the process proactively. Engage with Desmond’s staff and Sacramento County planning staff to align early on process requirements and timeline expectations.
- Build broader enthusiasm for solar. Solar energy development is a prime use for this location, and will benefit the immediate community and the county as a whole.
Goal: Introduce ourselves to key thought leaders and decision makers.
- We will start our outreach with Supervisor Desmond's Chief of Staff: Vanessa McCarthy-Olmstead. Our project is in Supervisor Desmond's district, so early contact with his office will be key. Vesper should introduce themselves, the project and its benefits, and get a download from his Chief of Staff on what we need to know about Desmond and his district as we work through the permitting process.
- At the same time, Vesper should begin developing a relationship with the Sacramento County Planning Director. This will be a key relationship as we navigate the permitting process, and having the planning department on our side throughout will be an important pice of getting through the process smoothly and efficiently.
Lastly, we should begin building relationships with respected and knowledgeable thought leaders in the county. This includes the County Economic Development Director and the president of the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce, which is the closest chamber to the project. Our goal here is to foster good relationships, get their take on the community, and get intel on Board of Supervisors. We also want to make sure we are talking about the benefits that this project will bring.
Goal: Use what we learned in Phase I as we reach out to the broader community, prioritizing any connections the initial group of stakeholders recommends. We will build relationships, garner positive press, and educate the community on the project and its benefits.
- Lean on economic development. Leverage our relationships we've built with thought leaders in the community to educate others in their organizations on project economic benefits and build a base of support there.
- Non-profits, schools, energy and religious organizations. Continue to expand our outreach to leaders in other areas, tailoring messaging as appropriate to each group.
- Launch a coordinated digital and earned media campaign. Content should be aimed at driving the positive narrative about how solar energy is important for economic development in the region, as well as Vesper being a proactive, good neighbor.
