Power to the Public: Using CBAs and Community Ownership to Shape Energy Projects

As rapid development, particularly data centers and large energy projects, continues to expand, local governments and communities face a critical moment: how to balance growth with genuine local benefit. This session explores how municipalities and advocates can use targeted legal mechanisms, like Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) and local ordinances, to direct private and utility investment back into community hands.

From actionable tools for local governments currently undergoing plan reviews for proposed data centers to strategies for transitioning asset ownership away from traditional utilities, this discussion will highlight how local action can drive equitable, resilient energy futures while smartly navigating federal regulatory landscapes.

Who Should Attend

• Local Government Officials & City Council Members navigating current or upcoming development proposals.
• Urban & Regional Planners conducting plan reviews for data centers and large energy projects.
• Sustainability Directors & Municipal Energy Officers interested in community-owned asset strategies and grid resilience.
• Community members that are interested in learning more about legal levers and opportunities. 

Participants Will Gain Insights Into…

• Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs) & Local Ordinances: How to legally structure agreements that better guarantee job creation, equity investments, and grid infrastructure upgrades from new developments.
• Actionable Tools for Active Plan Reviews: Immediate strategies and policy levers local governments and communities can use right now when evaluating proposed data center developments.
• Pathways to Asset Ownership: Proven frameworks for shifting energy assets from traditional utility ownership to community-owned models.
• Navigating Scale & Federal Permitting: Why smaller-scale community projects can bypass burdensome federal “red tape,” and how local agreements can be packaged as scalable models for neighboring jurisdictions.

*Important Note on Legal Guidance: During this session, L4GG provides a comprehensive “lay of the land” regarding federal rules and is only providing generalized guidance, NOT legal advice.  For legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, please contact your counsel or seek out individualized assistance by filling out the intake form appropriate for your situation.