Building Renewable Energy Projects Is Simpler Than Ever—But Why Is It So Tough to Have an Open Conversation About It?
Imagine a world where clean power from the wind and sun costs less than dirty coal, yet getting everyone on board feels like navigating a political minefield. That's the reality of renewable energy today, and it's what keeps experts like our interviewee up at night. With decades in the field, he's seen the triumphs and the frustrations firsthand. Stick around as we dive into how far we've come and why the debate rages on.
Q: You kicked off your career in renewable energy back in the early 1990s. Looking back over all those years, what breakthroughs in technology really catch your eye?
The landscape of renewable tech has transformed dramatically since I first stepped into this world. Take wind power, for instance— the cost of generating electricity from it has plummeted thanks to turbines that are now incredibly more efficient at capturing energy. In many spots across the United States, wind energy is now cheaper than traditional options like coal plants, which have been around for ages. This shift isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it's about making clean power accessible to more communities without breaking the bank.
Back in the early '90s, large-scale solar projects were basically nonexistent. Sure, we've understood the basics of turning sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic panels for a long time, but it wasn't until roughly the past 15 years that the prices dropped low enough to make big installations practical and widespread. These days, solar is expanding even quicker than wind, powering everything from homes to factories with reliable, eco-friendly energy.
At its heart, the challenge is straightforward: we must produce more electricity, do it in the most planet-friendly way possible, and deliver it efficiently to where people need it most. That said, not every proposed project deserves a green light—but framing the discussion as a battle between Democrats and Republicans only muddies the waters and stalls progress.
And now, battery storage is following a similar path to success. It's already affordable, and before long, it'll be a standard feature in energy systems everywhere. Electricity has always been tricky because it needs to be generated and consumed at the exact same moment—you can't really stockpile it like groceries. Batteries change that game entirely, allowing us to capture cheap energy from wind and solar during peak production times and save it for when demand spikes, like on hot summer evenings. This not only boosts the reliability of renewables but also amps up their overall value, making them even more attractive to investors and users alike.
Q: Beyond the tech advancements, what other shifts have you noticed in the industry?
Putting together a major renewable energy initiative demands a full network of collaborators, and that support system simply wasn't in place when I began. Think about it: attorneys specializing in energy law, officials at the local, state, and federal levels, experts conducting environmental assessments, and even the utility companies buying the power—they all lacked the know-how to handle renewables back then.
Most of these projects go up on farmland that's leased from owners, so we'd often find ourselves right there in their homes, chatting over coffee at the kitchen table. Many times, explaining our plans meant introducing them to concepts like wind power for the very first time. Discussions with county leaders or state regulators frequently revolved around whether they even had a framework for approving such projects. It was an era heavy on education, reaching out to everyone involved to build understanding from the ground up.
Fast forward to today, and there's a wealth of expertise available. That whole ecosystem of skilled professionals and resources is now well-established. We still invest plenty of time in those personal kitchen-table talks with property owners, and education remains key, but we're usually building on existing knowledge rather than starting from zero. With farmers and ranchers, the focus shifts to the nitty-gritty: how the development will unfold on their specific land, what the construction phase looks like, the expected timelines, and the day-to-day realities of hosting a project on their property. For officials, while some might still need to tweak their permitting procedures or create new ones to evaluate applications, renewables aren't the unfamiliar territory they once were.
But here's where it gets controversial: one massive change is how energy—especially renewables—has turned into a hot-button political issue. Too often, it's painted as a 'liberal' priority, alienating conservatives who might otherwise support it. That wasn't the vibe 25 years ago. Approvals weren't always smooth sailing, but they weren't tangled in partisan fights like they can be now. And that's a genuine setback, not just for renewables, but for the entire energy landscape and our nation's progress toward sustainability.
We all rely on electricity, so the priority should be ramping up supply, doing it responsibly for the environment, and ensuring it reaches end-users effectively. Again, that doesn't greenlight every idea—but letting party lines dictate decisions? That's counterproductive. Sadly, this political divide is a hurdle we face today that didn't exist when we founded Orion, and it complicates everything from planning to execution.
Q: When you're chatting with folks at their kitchen tables or engaging a whole community about a potential project, what questions do they usually fire your way?
Folks are eager to know if the project will actually move forward and, if so, how soon that might happen. We pride ourselves on being transparent from the get-go. These aren't quick undertakings; they can't be hurried along. A project might fizzle out entirely, or if it succeeds, it could span several years from idea to reality.
The last thing we want is to overhype things—vowing fast cash or speedy timelines would be misleading and breed resentment down the line. Instead, we prioritize clear, thorough education so everyone grasps the full picture: the potential benefits, the genuine risks, and the uncertainties along the way. These dialogues with landowners and local leaders aren't one-and-done; they often stretch over months or even years. When we invest that time, projects tend to succeed more smoothly because all parties are aligned, aware of the long road ahead, and prepared for the fact that any number of hurdles could derail things at a moment's notice.
We chat so extensively that sometimes these community members end up more savvy about the development game than some pros in the field!
Q: What ultimately convinces landowners to get involved?
For property owners, it's largely about reliable income and safeguarding their land's future for their kids or grandkids. Hosting renewables offers a smart way to mix up revenue streams from farmland. Crop or livestock markets fluctuate wildly—booms one year, busts the next—but a running renewable project delivers consistent payments year after year.
Wind setups can raise eyebrows visually, with those towering turbines visible from afar. Yet for the farmer or rancher leasing space, daily life goes on much as before: grazing herds, baling hay, sowing and reaping corn or soybeans, just navigating around the structures. Most say the minor hassle of maneuvering equipment is easily offset by the steady checks rolling in. As one Texas rancher quipped when asked about turbine noise, 'They hum a bit, but it's the sweet sound of dollars adding up.'
Solar discussions differ since they typically claim the full plot for panels, but savvy farmers recognize not all land is equal. If a section's too soggy, arid, rocky, or worn out from years of tilling, it's prime for solar leasing. Plus, giving overworked soil a 20- to 30-year break under panels lets it regenerate, providing income in the meantime and restoring fertility for future farming generations.
Q: Speaking of solar, what about agrivoltaics—the idea of growing crops right alongside the panels? Does that fit into your projects?
So far, agrivoltaics have mostly worked on smaller operations with niche crops, like berries or veggies that thrive in partial shade. But on the vast corn and bean fields of the Midwest and Great Plains, spanning hundreds or thousands of acres, it's not yet practical at scale. The spacing and setup for large solar arrays just don't align well with heavy machinery needs for those row crops. That said, research is ongoing, and future innovations might bridge that gap—for now, it's more promise than practice.
Q: What turns a skeptical community into a supportive one for these energy initiatives?
Let me share a real-world story from Benton County, Indiana. When we arrived in 2003, there wasn't a single wind turbine in sight. Jump to now, and the county boasts over 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity, with even more sprouting in neighboring areas.
We're still deeply connected there, owning and running our inaugural 130-megawatt Benton County Wind Farm, which went live in 2008. Bryan Berry, a longtime county commissioner and project landowner (check out more at https://orionrenewables.com/who-we-work-with/), highlights how these installations have poured funds into schools and health services, even slashing property taxes by 60%. It's a tangible win that shows renewables' community impact.
These ventures require huge upfront investments—no fuel costs for wind or solar, but plenty poured into foundations, towers, and panels. In return, they generate substantial property tax revenue for local budgets, funding roads, emergency services, and more.
Jobs are another big draw. Construction phases can hire hundreds, injecting economic vitality. Once operational, the roles slim to a core team—maybe a dozen or so—but they're stable, well-compensated positions requiring technical expertise, like maintenance techs monitoring systems year-round.
And here's the part most people miss: these projects act as beacons for broader economic growth. County leaders often note how a major solar array or wind farm signals to manufacturers or tech firms, 'This area's progressive and business-friendly.' It can tip the scales for new factories or expansions, creating a ripple effect of prosperity.
Q: How about the utilities buying this power—what's driving their enthusiasm for renewables?
Their customers are demanding it, and the price tag is right. From big industries and offices to everyday households, there's a push for green energy. Picture a massive data center scouting sites; they'll often stipulate, 'We'll build here only if renewables power it.' Utilities scramble to meet that, securing deals that align with clean goals.
Early on, utilities viewed renewables as experimental or unreliable—maybe they'd buy the output but shun ownership. Attitudes have flipped. Now, they see wind and solar as proven, cost-effective workhorses that satisfy customer preferences and regulatory pressures. As a result, more utilities are stepping up as direct investors and owners in these plants.
Q: You brought up data centers earlier. How does the surge in AI and overall energy needs factor into your work?
For years, U.S. electricity use stayed pretty steady. The economy got savvier at using less power per dollar of growth, and losses from shuttered heavy industries—like factories, steelworks, and paper plants—balanced out modest gains elsewhere.
If forecasts for data centers and AI hold true, it's a boon for renewables. But—and this is the part most people miss—we might be inflating those projections. A developer pitching a 1,000-megawatt data center to utilities in Texas, New England, Montana, and the Southeast gets logged as potential demand in all four spots. Reality check: it lands in just one. Overlap like that could mean the boom is real but not quite as explosive as hyped.
Either way, if demand does skyrocket, it'll supercharge our sector. For now, though, we're sticking to our proven strategies—no big pivots required.
Q: We've covered the community, landowners, and utilities. From Orion's angle, what's the business approach?
We're developers at heart. We scout high-potential sites, then pour resources into shaping a viable project there. Our aim? Create a standout opportunity—one that edges out rivals through smart planning and execution.
Securing the green lights—permits, leases, everything—is a marathon, often lasting years. For beginners: imagine juggling landowner negotiations at fair rates, FAA approvals for anything over 200 feet tall (think turbine heights), which scrutinize airport proximity, military routes, radar interference, and more. Environmental surveys hunt for rare species or historical sites that could halt progress. Then come the permits: local zoning boards, state agencies, federal oversight—sometimes layers of all three, each with its own rules and timelines.
If even one piece falls short—a crucial landowner backs out, a key permit denied, or grid connection studies reveal eye-watering upgrade costs (like a billion bucks over a decade)—the whole thing crumbles. Ninety-nine percent effort? It still equals zero payoff. That's why funding early development is the riskiest bet in power generation; it's all upside potential or total wipeout.
Once we've nailed the permits, land deals, grid ties, and maybe even a power purchase agreement, we typically hand off to builders and operators who specialize in construction and long-term management. Our team's edge comes from over 30 years of trial-and-error in development—we've got the battle-tested insights. While we occasionally oversee builds and retain ownership, like with Benton County, our sweet spot is the upfront hustle where we shine.
Q: What sparked your entry into this line of work?
As a Yale engineering student in the late 1970s, I was hooked on what we dubbed 'alternative energy' back then. Surviving the oil crises of the '70s convinced me energy policy was crucial, but it stayed a vague passion for ages, without a clear path.
I dipped into management consulting pre- and post-Yale SOM, honing my strategy and number-crunching chops. Yet, I grew tired of advising faceless clients on sectors that didn't fire me up; I craved hands-on leadership in something purposeful.
By the time family life ramped up—with a baby on the way—I was done with constant travel for meh projects. Sure, I could tackle market analysis for, say, European grinding tools to boost a client's edge, but it felt hollow. Why grind away without deeper meaning?
Energy, particularly renewables, called me back. A Yale SOM buddy, Jane Van Voorhis, connected me with a renewables contact, landing my debut wind job in 1992. Orion started in 1998; I jumped in 1999, bolstered by my wife's unwavering push.
This field leverages my consulting and academic toolkit, thrusting me into real-time choices that shape outcomes. Plus, it's fulfilling—tackling a challenge that matters for the planet and future generations.
And this is the part most people miss when debating renewables: while tech makes building easier, the politicization turns simple progress into a culture war. Is it fair to tie clean energy to one political side, sidelining potential bipartisan wins? Or could depoliticizing it unlock faster innovation? What do you think—should renewables be above party lines, or is the controversy inevitable? Drop your takes in the comments; I'd love to hear if you've seen this play out in your community.
