The United States hit a milestone in 2023 with $93 billion invested in renewable energy—more than triple the investment from a decade ago. This incredible influx reflects a growing national commitment to clean energy infrastructure.
But public support for renewable projects remains inconsistent, and a recently-published study highlights the need for developers to close information gaps with the public. To secure approvals, developers need to position these renewable projects as valuable community assets—but many lack experience doing so, and a single misstep can indicate the start of a project’s decline.
Many developers come prepared to give a standard presentation at their first open house or one-on-one conversation, and instead face hostile public meetings. When forced to manage heated community concerns while under-prepared, an ad-libbed response—even if well-meant—can permanently damage the chances of current and future projects. The company’s reputation can take a serious hit in the process. And it can make developers as a whole look untrustworthy, something that’s particularly challenging when they’re already faced with false claims (like these, identified by the Columbia Climate School as the most pervasive in the space.)
A recent USA Today study revealed that over the past decade, 180 counties installed their first commercial wind power projects—but more than twice that number of districts blocked similar, proposed projects. The study also found that in a one-year span, nearly as many counties rejected new solar projects as those that approved them.
Drawing on more than 35 years of presentation expertise, we’ve developed a comprehensive training program for developers that helps address these difficulties. Mower Presentation Training is designed to equip attendees with the skills to address a room full of angry stakeholders and manage one-on-one meetings with potential supporters, because developers who are prepared are more likely to diffuse tensions and build the community support that’s essential for project success.
Our training begins with a targeted questionnaire that helps us understand each developer’s strengths, weaknesses, professional goals and perceived barriers to successful presentations—all information that we use to shape our approach. Under the guidance of our experienced public affairs team, participants master both basic and advanced communication skills, emerging as more confident and effective spokespeople for their projects and company.
“I’ve had a lot of jobs working with opposition, but never had such an impactful training.”
The training unfolds in two distinct phases. An initial classroom session covers core presentation techniques and their practical applications; then small-group sessions provide hands-on experience for deeper learning. Participants are taught to manage emotions, cultivate credibility and diffuse difficult situations during role-play exercises that mimic real-life scenarios like hostile open houses. It’s all aimed at building developers’ sense of confidence and presentation skills.
It’s that kind of expertise that has been critical in supporting the approval of substantial solar developments and onshore and offshore wind generation, as well as the siting of hydrogen production hubs. In the last several years, Mower has helped site more than 15,000 megawatts of utility-scale wind and solar projects. We’ve also supported the approval of over 1,400 miles of new energy transmission, capable of delivering over 14,000 megawatts of renewable energy.
Success in renewable energy development often hinges on effective communication, particularly in contentious situations. A well-crafted presentation can be your most powerful tool for building trust and engaging with communities. That work begins before you enter the room—because how you prepare to address challenging issues is just as important as how you present at an informational meeting or public hearing.
“As a new developer it was nice to have a safe space to practice.”
As renewable energy investment reaches historic levels in the United States, the need for skilled developer communication has never been more critical. The implications are clear: project success depends not just on technical and financial viability, but on a developer’s ability to engage effectively with communities and build lasting support.
It’s why our comprehensive training program, led by professionals with decades of experience in high-stakes public affairs, is a critical investment for developers—and why we see every presentation as an opportunity to create interest and a foundation of trust.
If your company is interested in learning more about our developer and public affairs training sessions, please reach out to Rick Lyke, Executive Vice President of Public Relations and Public Affairs, at rlyke@mower.com or Austin Philleo, Senior Account Supervisor, Public Relations and Public Affairs at aphilleo@mower.com.