Chains of trust: Energy justice, public engagement, and the first offshore wind farm in the United States. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dwyer, Joseph; Bidwell, David
• Is Part Of: Energy research & social science. Volume 47(2019)
• Page Start: 166
• Page End: 176
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: BIWF Block Island Wind Farm -- CRMC Coastal Resources Management Council -- NIMBY Not in My Backyard -- RET Renewable Energy Technology -- Ocean SAMP Ocean Special Area Management Plan -- REZ Renewable Energy Zone; Block Island Wind Farm -- Offshore wind -- Public engagement -- Trust -- Chain of trust -- Renewable energy; Power resources -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.erss.2018.08.019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-6296

Abstract

Highlights: Public trust is instrumental to building acceptance for future renewable projects. Stakeholders expect certain criteria for a public engagement process. How well these expectations are met influence stakeholder trust. Process leaders can meet expectations and build trust through informal actions. Abstract: Public acceptance of renewable energy technologies (RETs) is critical to the broader adoption of these technologies and reducing the role of fossil fuels in electricity generation. Recent investigations into the public engagement processes surrounding RET projects reveal certain procedural deficits, especially concerning procedural fairness and stakeholder trust. With this in mind, we analyze two engagement processes that led to the Block Island Wind Farm, the first operational offshore wind farm in the United States. Through semi-structured interviews we identify certain procedural techniques that allowed process leaders to first build public trust in themselves, then in the process, and ultimately in the outcome. This chain of trust was fostered through informal efforts of process leaders to meet stakeholder expectations concerning process leaders' ability to work for the public interest, provide meaningful engagement opportunities, and to produce non-discriminatory outcomes. This case study highlights the potential of such informal actions to meet stakeholder expectations and build trust, while also empirically demonstrating specific techniques that future process leaders could employ to increase stakeholder acceptance of RETs.