Sarah Mills

Sarah Mills’ research looks at how renewable energy development impacts rural communities (positively and negatively), the disparate reactions of rural landowners to wind and solar projects, and how state and local policies facilitate or hinder renewable energy deployment. Through a grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, she also helps communities in incorporating clean energy in their planning and zoning. With respect to data science, in addition to conducting social science surveys, Sarah has also developed a unique database–energyzoning.org–which includes local government zoning regulations from six states across the Midwest.

Accomplishments and Awards

• Across America, clean energy plants are being banned faster than they’re being built