URP 620, Section 1

This course considers the content and consequences of the range of state and local policies that relateto renewable energy development in urban and rural communities. It also considers how planners can shape wind and solar projects. It covers not just policies traditionally associated with climate action—such as the carbon tax, cap and trade, renewable portfolio standards, or municipal climate pledges—but also the suite of policies that facilitate or hinder renewable energy development. This includes state tax policy, local land use regulation, infrastructure investment, and use of public lands. It also explores the diverse stakeholders who shape these policies and the motivations behind their positions—from economic development, to energy independence, to landowners’ rights.