Add the start of a contributing section
@@ -84,3 +84,11 @@ The following flags can be used after the script name:
- --no-transmission, do not calculate transmission constraints.
- --no-fuel, do not create a fuels file.
- --sort-gens, sort by generator name within a region (existing generators always show up above new generators)
+
+## Contributing
+
+Contributions are welcome! There is significant work to do on this project and additional perspective on user needs will help make it better. If you see something that needs to be improved, [open an issue](https://github.com/gschivley/PowerGenome/issues). If you have questions or need assistance, join [PowerGenome on groups.io](https://groups.io/g/powergenome) and post a message there.
+
+Pull requests are always welcome. To start modifying/adding code, make a fork of this repository, create a new branch, and [submit a pull request](https://help.github.com/en/github/collaborating-with-issues-and-pull-requests/creating-a-pull-request-from-a-fork).
+
+All code added to the project should be formatted with [black](https://black.readthedocs.io/en/stable/). After making a fork and cloning it to your own computer, run `pre-commit install` to [install the git hook scripts](https://pre-commit.com/#3-install-the-git-hook-scripts) that will run every time you make a commit. These hooks will automatically run `black` (in case you forgot), fix trailing whitespace, check yaml formatting, etc.
