ten lessons to reach public approval of energy & other infrastructure projects
DESCRIPTION
After leading public consultation and communications for $30 billion+ in infrastructure projects in the past 25 years, we've found these processes to be as important as engineering and accounting to ensure the project is completed on time and budget. Based on this experience, Dave Hardy, Principal, HSAL, shared 10 lessons learned (with examples) on how to plan and manage successful public approval of a complex project at APPrO 2013. He also outlined how some proponents in Ontario have built excellent relationships with their communities, while others have not fared as well.TRANSCRIPT
![Page 1: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Ten Lessons on How to Plan and Manage for Public Approval
November 20, 2013David R. Hardy, MCIP, RPP
![Page 2: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
• Led public consultation and communications to approve $30 billion+ in Ont. infrastructure projects in past 25 years
• Learned public consultation as important as engineering and accounting to ensure project completed on time and budget
What have been the key lessons to help energy and other projects succeed?
How was public trust and confidence retained?
Lessons Learned “in the Trenches”
![Page 3: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Lessons Learned “in the Trenches”How have some proponents built excellent relationships with their communities…
…while others have not fared as well?
Atikokan Generating Station
Portlands Energy Centre, $750 million
![Page 4: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
1. Build Trust and Credibility
• Set stage for engagement
• Gain community’s confidence
• Earn social licence first
How do we achieve this?
Governments give permits but people give permission
Rohm and Haas, Scarborough
![Page 5: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
2. Do the Upfront Research about the Community Impacted
• Conduct social impact assessment or stakeholder sensitivity analysis
• Integrate social science with communications and consultation
• Don’t wait until public meeting tolearn about community
![Page 6: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
2. Do the Upfront Research about the Community Impacted
Lakeview Wastewater Project, $600 million
![Page 7: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
3. Take a Long-Term View & Be Persistent
• Focus on 10 year milestone, with full-functioning facility
• Demonstrate value through community engagement programs
Cameco Blind River
Portlands EnergyCentre (PEC)
![Page 8: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
4. Ensure Common Sense TrumpsLegislation and Financial Timelines
• Avoid rigid adherence to an EA schedule or a financial institution’s timing requirements
• Public support needs to occur at the pace of the public (within reason)
![Page 9: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
5. Develop a Strategy to Address People For Whom the “Bar of Consensus”is Unreachable
• “Triage” issues and activists
• Consensus is ideal but rarely achievable
• For some critics, there is no closure in public debate
![Page 10: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
6. Delegate Public Engagement tothose Equipped to Succeed
• Give public consultation professional, lead engineer and accountant equal responsibility and authority
• When success depends on public support – have engineers and accountants report to public consultation/ social science professionals
Port Hope Area Initiative
![Page 11: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
7. Practise Horizontal Consultationand Engagement
• Conservation authorities, regulators and approval bodies are a ‘second public’
• Focused on data but sensitive to legitimate issues impacting communities West Vaughan
Servicing Strategy, $200 million
![Page 12: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
8. Look at Yourself and the Project Through the Eyes of the Community
• Ideally project develops positive personality that public understands
• Ensure project staff/consultants are in community ahead of tough decisions
• People need to trust: 1) spokesperson’s values2) technical competence (ideally both)
![Page 13: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
9. Understand and Respond to the Deep Public Policy Questions
• Moral and ethical issues underpin all public policy matters
• Energy policy taxes modern moral philosophy
• Need to explain “why” actions are right in moral and ethical terms –or counter comparable arguments
![Page 14: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
9. Understand and Respond to the Deep Public Policy Questions
• Prepare to address moral claims and ethical issues: harm, injustice, risk, obligations, rights.
• Must thoroughly assess why you are on sound moral ground, articulate and prepare to defend position
![Page 15: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
10. Establish a Brutally Fair Process and Stick to it
• Decision making process must be fair and balanced
• Consultation should be open, transparent and traceable
• Public must see and hear decision-maker
![Page 16: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
First, Set the Stage:1. Build Trust &
Credibility
2. Research Community Upfront
3. Take a Long-term View
![Page 17: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Next, Seek Public Support:
4. Ensure Timelines Follow Common Sense
5. Develop Strategy for Those Whose Consensus Bar is Unreachable
6. Delegate Public Engagement to those Equipped to Succeed
7. Practise Horizontal Consultation and Engagement
![Page 18: Ten Lessons to Reach Public Approval of Energy & Other Infrastructure Projects](https://reader036.vdocuments.us/reader036/viewer/2022081403/55583fa0d8b42ac6078b4e44/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Stay the Course:8. Look at Yourself and the
Project through the Community’s Eyes
9. Understand and Respond to Deep Public Policy Questions
10. Establish a Brutally Fair Process – and Stick to it