A credible public inquiry on Rome’s Santa Palomba plant needs a shared purpose, a clear scope and transparent ground rules. We propose a four‑phase sequence—preparation, listening, public debate, and delivery—with realistic tools and timelines. Special focus is given to air and water impacts, road and rail logistics, the actor map and the prioritization of mitigations and trade‑offs. The guide details institutional and civic roles, evidence handling, tools to safeguard fairness and transparency, and how to translate outcomes into time‑bound, enforceable conditions. It includes examples, call and agenda templates, minutes models, operational checklists and quality indicators, plus guidance for clear communication, transparent timelines and the inclusion of vulnerable groups. Based on the Concorder proposal: santa palomba waste to energy designing a fair public inquiry.