Wind turbines against a morning sky.
Renewable energy The Nature Conservancy in Indiana provides science-based guidelines for companies and communities to engage in the right conversation around renewable energy development. © Fauna Creative

Stories in Indiana

Accelerating Renewable Energy

Indiana can be a leader in the renewable energy transition.

By the middle of this decade, more than a quarter of America’s energy is expected to come from renewable sources, and up to 75% of the country’s new large renewable energy projects will take place in the central United States.

Building the clean energy infrastructure needed to meet the U.S. emissions goals will require a lot of land. The Hoosier State has it in abundance. That’s why Indiana is emerging as a key player in the effort to accelerate the renewable energy transition.

The Nature Conservancy in Indiana is helping our private and public partners develop and deliver clean, wildlife-friendly renewable power to Hoosiers faster and cheaper.

Together, we’re working to implement historic federal investments in renewable energy to reduce carbon emissions and bring about a more prosperous future for all Hoosiers.

Site Renewables Right (05:14) The Nature Conservancy supports the rapid expansion of renewable energy, and the ample wind and solar resources in Indiana offer the opportunity to provide clean, low-impact power for people and wildlife.

Finding Ground on Clean Energy

TNC commissioned a statewide survey of 600 voters this past May. The poll, conducted by Bellwether Research, shows that Hoosier voters believe the state can achieve critical climate objectives by transitioning to renewable energy, while simultaneously addressing conservation and community opportunities and challenges.

How Hoosiers View Wind and Solar Projects

Based on a 2023 poll commissioned by The Nature Conservancy

  • 71 % want the state to increase solar energy

    71%

    want the state to increase solar energy

  • 61% want the state to increase wind energy

    61%

    want the state to increase wind energy

  • 66% are favorable to solar energy production, including 64% of Hoosiers who live in counties that are primed for solar development projects

    66%

    are favorable to solar energy production, including 64% of Hoosiers who live in counties that are primed for solar development projects

  • 63% are favorable to wind energy projects, including 55% of Hoosiers who live in counties that are primed for wind development projects

    63%

    are favorable to wind energy projects, including 55% of Hoosiers who live in counties that are primed for wind development projects

Renewable energy stats from recent Indiana poll.
Renewable Energy in Indiana Voters believe renewable energy can co-exist with wildlife. © TNC

Clear Support for Clean Energy

Hoosier voters support the following actions that Indiana can take to meet rising business demand for renewable energy, take advantage of federal tax credits, and balance social, environmental and economic concerns about land usage.

Renewable energy stats.
Solar panels.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see Hoosier support for renewable energy.
Green Tariff stats.
Solar panels.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see Hoosier support for a Green Tariff.
Renewable energy stats.
Man stands next to a solar panel array.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see who Hoosiers think should decide where renewable energy should be placed.
Solar energy on rooftops stat.
Solar panels on public rooftops.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see what Hoosiers think about solar on public rooftops.
Solar energy in underserved areas stat.
Solar panel installation.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see Hoosier support for solar energy in low-income areas.
Solar energy on brownfields stats.
Solar panels.
Hoosier voters support Slide to the left to see Hoosier support for solar energy on unproductive land.

The Nature Conservancy's Role

The Nature Conservancy stands ready to help our private and public partners in their work to develop and deliver clean, wildlife-friendly renewable power to Hoosiers faster and cheaper.


Together, we can reach a clean energy economy while protecting our communities, important habitats and wildlife, and our future climate.

A Holistic Approach to Renewable Procurement and Siting 

A solution to land usage concerns and renewable projects: Embrace the “3Cs” for clean energy development, procurement and siting:

  • Communities: Support an equitable transition that considers the needs of various people and communities. 

  • Conservation: Protect wildlife and habitat.

  • Climate: Optimize carbon impact.

An infographic on the 3Cs of communities, conservation, and climate.
A Holistic Perspective The 3C approach considers the potential long-term impacts of solar and wind installations on communities, conservation and climate. © The Nature Conservancy

Siting renewable projects in areas that would significantly impact wildlife, habitat, people or communities can lead to conflict and slow the progression of renewable projects. These delays and increased costs can be minimized by evaluating siting considerations early in the project development process. 

This approach, detailed in TNC’s Power of Place report, cuts the amount of land needed for renewable installations to reach the U.S. net zero goal in half. It also helps ensure that projects are completed in a timely manner. A study of solar projects indicates permitting was three times faster and project costs were 7% to 14% lower when projects were sited in areas of low biodiversity, compared to high biodiversity sites.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to this challenging work. However, TNC has developed a number of resources that can help Midwest companies balance a 3C approach to procurement and siting with other priorities.

 

Resources for Planning, Procuring and Siting

The following TNC resources and tools are helping a growing number of businesses ensure renewable projects meet environmental and social commitments as well as financial goals—while meeting the 3Cs.

  • The RFP Content cover featuring a Rivian truck driving through mountains.

    Power with Purpose: TNC and Rivian Case Study

    Case Study and Toolkit

    TNC and Rivian developed tools for procuring & building renewable energy that optimize economic value while also taking the 3Cs—community, conservation and climate—into consideration. The report details the story of how Rivian used this model to bid for long-term purchase mechanisms. READ THE WEB STORY

    DOWNLOAD
  • The Site Renewables Right report cover featuring a map of the central US.

    Site Renewables Right

    Interactive Map

    TNC’s  Site Renewables Right maps identify where wind and solar energy can be developed in the central United States while conserving important wildlife habitats and natural areas at the same time. EXPLORE THE MAP

    DOWNLOAD
  • Power of Place report cover featuring solar panels.

    Power of Place: Clean Energy Solutions for People

    National Report

    This report can help energy planners & policymakers execute net-zero strategies that benefit climate, nature & people. It shows that with careful & coordinated planning & robust community engagement, the U.S. can build clean energy infrastructure needed for economy-wide, net-zero emissions by 2050.

    DOWNLOAD

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