Field Guides

Building Social License for Battery Storage

A Field Guide to Earning Trust and Approval

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are the backbone of a modern, resilient grid—but in many communities, they’re still unfamiliar. Concerns often stem from confusion, misinformation, or a lack of clear communication. Drawing on lessons from more than 6 gigawatts of projects in 22 states, Bantam Communications has distilled what separates projects that move smoothly through permitting from those that stall under opposition. The difference comes down to one thing: earning trust early. This field guide offers practical strategies for developers, utilities, and community partners seeking to build public confidence in battery storage—and secure the approvals that make deployment possible.

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IN THIS FIELD GUIDE:

Build trust early: Why engagement before permitting is the single most important step for project success.
Educate before you permit: How to make BESS understandable, relatable, and factual—before misinformation takes hold.
Center safety and preparedness: Ways to partner with first responders and communicate safety confidently.
Make it local: Framing projects around kitchen-table priorities like reliability, revenue, and visual fit.
Plan for opposition: How to anticipate, organize, and demonstrate real support before the public hearing.

Learn how these lessons translate to results

In one Midwestern county, Bantam helped a developer engage the local fire department early—offering training and site tours before public hearings. When safety concerns later surfaced, the fire chief spoke in support of the project, and it was approved unanimously that night.

Through early education and authentic local partnership, developers can move projects from uncertainty to trust—and from trust to approval.

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