Power of Place-West Report Discovers Efficient Path to Net-Zero in the West

Researchers analyzed more than a dozen potential scenarios that mixed varying clean energy technologies across the energy production, transportation, manufacturing, and building sectors.  The results were then filtered using various environmental and land protection measures. 

One scenario, called the “High Electrification Scenario,” emerged as most optimal for affordably meeting net-zero by 2050, while still preserving nearly 50% more sensitive natural areas and working lands than by pursuing today’s standard energy development practices. 

The High Electrification Scenario encompassed a diversity of clean energy technologies, including solar, onshore and offshore wind, geothermal, biomass, hydrogen, existing nuclear and hydroelectric, battery storage, and some gas with carbon capture and direct air capture technologies at industrial sites.

The High Electrification Scenario limits energy development to 21 million acres. Comparatively, pursuing current energy development practices will lead to 39 million acres of occupied new energy infrastructure, resulting in the loss of more than 10 million acres of important habitat for birds, fish, and other wildlife. 

The High Electrification Scenario was cost-conscious as well; it is only 3% more expensive annually than pursuing current development trends and practices.

“The High Electrification Scenario is the ‘Goldilocks’ option,” said Hill.  “It gets the West to net-zero emissions by 2050, protects the most land, and is less costly than pursuing solely renewable energy.”

“To meet our climate goals in time to make a difference for our kids and grandkids, we need to more than triple the pace of the clean energy infrastructure buildout.  Using Power of Place-West to help inform how Western states meet their net-zero goals can help us build clean energy faster and cheaper, by avoiding the costly conflicts that slow us down,” added Nels Johnson, Senior Advisor of Renewable Energy Deployment for The Nature Conservancy. 

Energy data for the Power of Place-West was sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Agency.  Energy modeling was provided by best-in-class energy modelers that included Evolved Energy Research, UC Santa Barbara, Montara Mountain Energy, and JASenergies.  Data on wildlife and natural systems were provided by The Nature Conservancy.  Taken together, the report is the most comprehensive energy analysis of the West to date incorporating detailed ecosystem and wildlife habitat information. 

In addition to the Power of Place-West report, The Nature Conservancy carried out interviews with Tribal and Indigenous communities throughout the West.  Tribal lands account for 7% of the lands within the 11 Western grid states and Indigenous Peoples have extensive knowledge and experience effectively managing and stewarding lands across the West. The Nature Conservancy believes any decisions or questions about the development of renewable energy on Tribal and Indigenous lands should be addressed by the Tribes who own and manage those lands. Recommendations shared with us through these interviews are captured in the Voices of the West companion paper. 

The Power of Place-West report executive summary, environmental data layers, research paper, and Voices from the West are all available at www.nature.org/PowerOfPlace.