Public engagement with information on renewable energy developments: The case of single, semi-urban wind turbines

Abstract

This paper explores perceptions of public engagement with information on renewable energy developments. It draws on a case study of proposals by a major supermarket chain to construct single wind turbines in two semi-urban locations in the UK, analysing data from interviews with key actors in the planning process and focus groups with local residents. The paper concludes that key actors often had high expectations of how local people should engage with information, and sometimes implied that members of the public who were incapable of filtering or processing information in an organised or targeted fashion had no productive role to play in the planning process. It shows how the specific nature of the proposals (single wind turbines in semi-urban locations proposed by a commercial private sector developer) shaped local residents' information needs and concerns in a way that challenged key actors' expectations of how the public should engage with information.

The Effects of Information on Public Attitudes Toward Renewable Energy

“…In their study, proponents of development felt that some opposition was caused by incorrect information spread by opposition groups and that providing correct information would lead to greater public support. Parks and Theobald (2011) found a similar stream of thought among wind energy advocates. The idea that information can create greater support for wind energy projects has been advocated by multiple authors as well (Jones & Eiser, 2009;Kaldellis, 2005;Krohn & Damborg, 1999;Strachan & Lal, 2004).…”

“…In principle, deliberative siting processes address concerns about a deficit-model framework by giving voice to members of the public holding diverse viewpoints about wind energy, its possible benefits to communities, and concerns about project siting and potential impacts. From this perspective, informational interventions should be focused on specific questions of the local public, with the goal of equipping members of the public to participate in participatory processes (Bell et al, 2005;Jones & Eiser, 2009;Parks & Theobald, 2011), rather than persuading them to support wind energy or a specific project. One should not lose sight, however, that receiving information may change the quality of attitudes held by the public, even if a change in support for a project is not anticipated or desired.…”

“…Opinion surveys indicate that public attitudes towards renewable energy technologies (renewables) are largely positive (Ansolabehere & Konisky, 2009;Ek, 2005), with renewables commonly viewed as a partial solution to three societal challenges: meeting the growing demand for energy, ensuring energy security, and reducing harmful air emissions (Szarka, 2006). However, advocates have been frustrated by a presumed "social gap" between broad public support for renewables and the slow deployment of specific technologies (Bell, Gray, & Haggett, 2005;Parks & Theobald, 2011). Local opposition to specific projects is widely viewed as a significant obstacle to the broader adoption of renewable technologies (DevineWright, 2008(DevineWright, , 2011Kasperson & Ram, 2013;Pasqualetti, 2011;Walker, Cass, Burningham, & Barnett, 2010;Wüstenhagen, Wolsink, & Bürer, 2007), even if public attitudes explain only part of the success or failure of the siting of renewable projects (Tuler, Ram, & Kasperson, 2014).…”

NIMBYism revisited: public acceptance of wind energy in the United States

“…It has also been pointed out, 'NIMBYism follows the deficit model of public understanding and sees the public as having insufficient or incorrect knowledge, leading to a perceived ignorant or irrational response (usually opposition) to a development in their locality'. 31,48,86 According to the 'information deficit' model, if people can be given the necessary information to make informed decisions, they will make better decisions, and if the information provided is sufficient to separate myths from facts, then levels of opposition should fall. 180 This model has been criticized by showing that while more information may increase knowledge of environmental issues, more education does not necessarily mean increased pro-environmental behavior.…”

Experiments in engagement: Designing public engagement with science and technology for capacity building

“…This lack is significant because engagement with scientific issues is affected not only by cognitive values but also by affective and behavioral notions (Lorenzoni and Hulme, 2009). Context and locally relevant knowledge similarly play an important role in the way actors interact and build trust in experts (Finlay and Leggett, 2001; Parks and Theobald, 2013).…”