Record Details
Wind Energy in Klickitat County, Washington
ScholarsArchive at Oregon State University
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Title | Wind Energy in Klickitat County, Washington |
| Names |
Grandolfo, Joseph D.
(creator) Boudet, Hilary (advisor) |
| Date Issued | 2015-06-12 (iso8601) |
| Note | Graduation date: 2015 |
| Abstract | Wind energy has widespread public support; nevertheless, the emergence of local support or opposition in response to siting proposals is often unpredictable. Uncertainty surrounding a community’s response is problematic for both the company planning the project and for states pursuing policies for expanded development and use of renewable energy. Given Washington’s recent climate change pact with Oregon, California, and British Columbia to promote clean energy solutions and their Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) calling for 15% of the State’s electricity use to be from renewable sources by 2020, deeper understanding of local responses to wind energy siting is of both practical and conceptual importance. This research employs the concepts of political opportunity and trust to provide insight into aspects of the community context that drive community responses to wind facility siting in Klickitat County, Washington. The findings indicate that mistrust was a critical factor in the ability of decision-makers to mobilize support for its pro-wind policy. Furthermore, the experiences in Klickitat County illustrate how political opportunities can both enhance and diminish the prospects for mobilization in the context of wind siting proposals. While most research on community response to energy siting proposals focuses on project challengers, this case study illustrates how many of the same factors also apply to mobilization of project supporters. These findings further emphasize the importance of the local community context when exploring wind facility siting conflicts. |
| Genre | Research Paper |
| Topic | Renewable Energy Policy |
| Identifier | http://hdl.handle.net/1957/56373 |
