New poll of nearly 4,000 Americans shows overwhelming support for battery storage projects due to benefits such as cheaper electricity bills and reliable power – however, study shows that storage sector needs to get better at effectively engaging communities regarding potential BESS sites
Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump’s administration proposed cutting billions of dollars in federal funding next year for projects including renewable energy and electric vehicle charging. The White House said the energy budget proposal would cancel more than $15 billion in carbon capture and renewable energy funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that former President Joe Biden, a Democrat, signed in 2021.
It was just the latest in a series of blows that President Trump has dealt the renewable energy sector, an industry he wants to de-fund. However, a ground-breaking report published earlier this week indicated that his stance on renewables is entirely at odds with that of the American people. The study – which analysed the results of a survey of nearly 4,000 US citizens – showed that the American public are overwhelmingly supportive of the siting of battery energy storage systems, the technology that stores energy from renewables assets, in their communities.
Seven out of ten Americans support BESS
The results of the poll revealed that a massive 71 per cent of Americans support battery energy storage system (BESS) sites in their local community. The report also gave an insight into the reasons for the high levels of support. When asked what benefits made them more comfortable with a BESS site in their locality, seven out of ten US citizens said they would support such a project if it meant cheaper electricity bills, while 68 per cent would back BESS sites if it ensured reliable power.
Source: Firetrace
Meanwhile, nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of citizens would also support a BESS site if it led to more local jobs and economic benefits.
However, while the report painted a picture of widespread support for BESS among the American people, there were also some important lessons that the battery storage sector can learn from the report. In particular, the report suggested that the storage industry’s efforts to communicate to the wider public about the benefits of the technology are falling short. For example, the study found that a lack of knowledge about BESS is driving opposition to battery storage projects, with the majority (52 per cent) of people who oppose BESS saying they had not encountered any information about BESS projects at all.
Effective community engagement should focus on bills and energy security
The report, published by Firetrace International, offered recommendations for fostering support among communities for proposed BESS projects. It said that, when engaging with communities on the subject of battery storage sites, it was advisable to effectively communicate benefits including:
The survey found that 70 per cent of respondents would support a BESS site in their area if it meant cheaper electricity bills, with a similar proportion (68 per cent) saying they would back a BESS project if it ensured “reliable power”. Meanwhile, job creation is also an attractive facet of battery storage projects. Nearly two-thirds of respondents would support a BESS site in their locality if it led to “local jobs and economic benefits”. The survey also showed that such messaging is successful with all age groups.
Generally speaking, effectively communicating the advantages of BESS should be a primary focus when engaging communities regarding potential projects. When asked what would make them more comfortable with having a BESS site in their area, the most commonly cited reason among US citizens was an “understanding of the benefits” of such projects, which is a priority for the majority (52 percent).
Which US states are most supportive of BESS?
The report also includes data showing the US states where support for BESS projects is highest. The states with the biggest levels of support are:
Among the states with the highest levels of support for BESS projects, the main reasons for that support vary. For example, among Massachusetts residents, the most common reason for supporting BESS projects is “reliable power”, which was cited by 69% of respondents who supported such schemes. Similarly, in Mississippi, the desire for reliable power was the key driver of support for BESS projects, being cited by 70 percent of respondents. However, in Kentucky, the main reason for supporting BESS projects was “cheaper electricity bills”, cited by 73% of those polled.
Meanwhile, the report shows that the US states with the highest levels of opposition to BESS projects are:
Fear of BESS’ impact on property prices
Among the states with the highest levels of opposition to BESS projects, the main reason for the negative view differs. For example, among Minnesota residents, the main reason for opposing BESS sites is the impact on the local environment, cited by 60 per cent of respondents who opposed such schemes. However, in Connecticut, the main reason for opposition was “impact on property prices”, cited by 57 per cent. Meanwhile in Delaware, the impact on property prices and toxic leaks were the joint most-significant factors driving opposition to BESS projects. Elsewhere, in Kansas, concern about toxic leaks was the main reason for opposition to BESS sites. More details of the states with the highest and lowest levels of support for BESS can be found in the report, which can be downloaded here: https://www.firetrace.com/unlocking-support-for-bess
Despite widespread public support for battery energy storage systems [BESS], plans for such projects often encounter community opposition due to concerns about the perceived local environmental impact, the effect on property prices, as well as concerns about toxic leaks and fire safety risk. However, effective community engagement coupled with skilled awareness-raising can successfully convert opponents to BESS into advocates of such projects. This is largely because opposition to BESS sites is largely correlated with ignorance of such projects and the widespread benefits they bring.
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