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Common Ground Consortium

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The Common Ground Consortium is a multi-institutional initiative, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, that centers on improving collaborative-based approaches for siting critical infrastructure, in particular that for spent nuclear fuel and integrated nuclear waste management. Led by Boise State University’s Energy Policy Institute, the project’s primary goal is to provide recommendations to the U.S. Department of Energy on the design for effective and fair processes. Drawing on historical lessons and current feedback, the initiative engages with communities, Tribal groups, industry leaders, policymakers, and technical experts to develop guidance.

As one of twelve consortia (see map below) designated by the U.S. Department of Energy, Common Ground serves as a networked educational, research, and advising hub.  Each consortium focuses on its uniquely proposed area of inquiry.

Major participants

Common Ground is a partnership of nine universities and the National Tribal Energy Association (NTEA), with additional cross-sectoral partners from government, industry and academia. This hub includes Arizona State, Boise State, Colorado State, Idaho State, Montana State, University of Idaho, University of Wyoming, University of Michigan, Utah State University, plus NTEA. Additional partners include the National Association of State Energy Officials, Nuclear Energy Institute, Nuclear Waste Strategy Coalition, Western Interstate Energy Board, Alaska Conservation Foundation, and Institute for Inclusive and Transformative Scholarship to ensure that State, industry, and key groups are factored.

Map of locations for consent-based siting awardee, partners or activity.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy. Locations for Consent-based siting awardees, partners or activity.

Seed Grant Program

Deadline: Closed  

The seed grant programming supports research and public discussions on collaborative, public engagement and decision-making processes tied to siting of critical infrastructure.  

Awardees
Awardees advance understanding across sectors and types of critical infrastructure. 

Utah State University was awarded funds to investigate how community health and wellbeing can be integrated into community engagement and collaborative siting for future energy infrastructure projects in communities experiencing change in Utah’s Carbon and Emery counties.

Alaska Conservation Foundation (ACF) was awarded funds to examine consent in the mining sector. Partnering with the Alaska Mining Impacts Network (AKMIN), ACF investigated the decision-making implications of consent vs. consultation. 

The above proposals were chosen for their clear potential and valuable approaches to make significant contributions in the area of consent-based siting.

Methods

The project adopts a strategy to improve approaches for engagement and decision-making for different kinds of communities across geography, experience, and sector. It utilizes the strengths of interviewing/case analysis/historical record review for briefings, with geospatial modeling of siting considerations. Mutual gains approaches, Delphi ranking and pairwise comparisons may be used in discussions.

Anticipated Outcomes of the Consortium

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  • Articles & briefings for communities, policymakers & industry
  • A knowledge repository/training/tools for collaborative-based decision-making
  • Improved understanding across geography and sector from different stakeholders
  • Identification of better practices
  • More informed training and writing

For questions about public meetings, contact us at epi@boisestate.edu. This webpage will be periodically updated. Last update: October 22, 2025.

Additional Information