Katie Wright
At the University of Houston’s Energy Transition: Winds of Change symposium, it was clear that we are not in an energy transition; we are in the midst of a historic energy transformation that will only be possible through the partnership of public policy, industry, and local communities.
Conversation centered around reimagining our entire energy system to meet rising global demand using every available tool—fossil, renewable, nuclear, and emerging technologies—while ensuring that energy is reliable, affordable, and lower in emissions.
The U.S. must build a massive amount of infrastructure in communities throughout the country, and interested companies need to invest in building authentic partnerships in the communities where they plan to invest and operate.
What Experience Has Taught Us
Projects succeed when communities are engaged upfront. Capital alone doesn’t build infrastructure—transparency and trust do. Whether oil and gas, utility-scale renewables, or transmission lines, your social license to operate is more critical than ever. You need to be driving the narrative.
Policy alone won’t carry a project. Policy is not the most durable basis for investments. Regulations shift and administrations change. Projects need to be committed to doing things right in the communities they plan to invest in. That means communicating consistently with stakeholders, showing up for the community, and communicating the value you bring.
Tangible outcomes build credibility. Policymakers and the public want to see how energy projects deliver real benefits – whether that is jobs, local investments, cleaner supply chains, or more secure access to energy. Find out what matters most to them and show them how these projects can positively impact their communities.
The speed and success of this energy transformation will depend on the choices made today. By investing early to understand the political landscape, pulling communities into the conversation, and forming trusted partnerships, progress can be accelerated, outcomes strengthened, and risks reduced.
At The Herald Group, we help make that happen. From conducting landscape analyses and stakeholder mapping to crafting targeted strategies, we ensure the right stakeholders hear the right messages at the right time. Because when communities are engaged and decision-makers are informed, projects don’t just move forward—they succeed.
Other Thought Leadership
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