The Client
SunPeak Energy is a renewable energy developer entering new markets in Southern California. They require specialized, project-specific external affairs capacity to navigate local stakeholders.
The Challenge
SunPeak is preparing to develop a major energy project in Southern California. The technical and financial pieces make sense, but key questions outside the company remain unanswered:
- Who are the key decision-makers?
- What does the community think about projects like this?
- Which local organizations should SunPeak know?
- Are there concerns that could turn into opposition later?
- Who could become a credible community partner?
- Does the company already have the relationships it will need when the project reaches the public approval process?
Rather than waiting until a public hearing or controversy to answer those questions, SunPeak brings us in early.
What We Do
We start by learning the project, its timeline, its business objectives, and the approvals or decisions that could affect it. Then we map the world around it across four key dimensions:
1. Government
Elected officials, local government staff, planning bodies, and public-sector decision-makers.
2. Community
Neighborhood groups, nonprofits, civic organizations, faith communities, schools, and local advocates.
3. Business & Labor
Chambers of commerce, major employers, business associations, and labor organizations.
4. Issues & Risk
Local political dynamics, previous controversial projects, community concerns, and potential opposition.
Outcomes in the First 90 Days
By the end of the initial 90-day engagement, SunPeak has achieved:
- Complete stakeholder & decision-maker map covering government, community, and business leaders.
- Clear picture of the local political and community environment.
- Established key relationships with government and community leaders before approvals begin.
- Potential partners identified across business, nonprofit, and labor organizations.
- Early identification of concerns that could otherwise become opposition.
- Community-informed messaging strategy built on actual community feedback.
- Public meeting & approval strategy for upcoming government hearings.
- 12-month external affairs roadmap for the project.
Most importantly, SunPeak is no longer entering the community as a stranger asking for something. It has started becoming part of the community.