UVM Theses and Dissertations
Format:
Print
Author:
Keir, Laura S.
Dept./Program:
Natural Resources
Year:
2013
Degree:
MS
Abstract:
Energy infrastructure is a critical area of study due to the widening disparity between power use and needed investments in transmission facilities, as well as the promotion of renewable energies that often require long transmission lines from remote sites of power generation. Additionally, energy projects are often met with opposition from local residents for a variety of reasons. Thirty years ago, Dennis Ducsik asked the question, "Can anything be done to avoid the grim prospect of more disruptive conflict over the location of power plants?" (1981, p. 155). His answer was a more participatory approach to planning through collaboration between developers and the public. Despite worsening land use and energy conflicts since then, this type of participation has not gained much traction.
A greater understanding of the contention surrounding energy projects is vital in today's society. This thesis examines an energy battle being fought in New Hampshire over a proposed high-voltage electric transmission line called the Northern Pass. The main component of the $1.1 billion project is a high-voltage direct current transmission line whose 80-to 135-foot towers would carry up to 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity from Quebec to southern New Hampshire. By studying this currently unfolding case, I reveal the potential for consensus building around the transmission line as well as the role of the public participation that has taken place. The first part of the study employed a frame analysis of citizen comments from public meetings held on the transmission line.
The analysis shows that citizens value procedural fairness highly and thus developers and regulators must elevate this issue in energy planning processes. The second part ofthe study was achieved through a conflict assessment approach comprised of interviews with stakeholders. The results show there is a great deal ofhostility between stakeholders involved in the Northern Pass, yet there is potential for a successful consensus building process between the developers and public stakeholders. Such a process would need to carefully consider design elements including those recommended in this paper.
This research provides a valuable synthesis of stakeholder issues for those involved with and impacted by the Northern Pass. The unique attributes of this case as well as its connection to similar contemporary energy siting projects will inform the citizen participation, environmental conflict resolution, planning, and energy communities. The research holds insights into making more transparent, widely accepted, and robust decisions regarding controversial energy infrastructure projects.
A greater understanding of the contention surrounding energy projects is vital in today's society. This thesis examines an energy battle being fought in New Hampshire over a proposed high-voltage electric transmission line called the Northern Pass. The main component of the $1.1 billion project is a high-voltage direct current transmission line whose 80-to 135-foot towers would carry up to 1,200 megawatts of hydroelectricity from Quebec to southern New Hampshire. By studying this currently unfolding case, I reveal the potential for consensus building around the transmission line as well as the role of the public participation that has taken place. The first part of the study employed a frame analysis of citizen comments from public meetings held on the transmission line.
The analysis shows that citizens value procedural fairness highly and thus developers and regulators must elevate this issue in energy planning processes. The second part ofthe study was achieved through a conflict assessment approach comprised of interviews with stakeholders. The results show there is a great deal ofhostility between stakeholders involved in the Northern Pass, yet there is potential for a successful consensus building process between the developers and public stakeholders. Such a process would need to carefully consider design elements including those recommended in this paper.
This research provides a valuable synthesis of stakeholder issues for those involved with and impacted by the Northern Pass. The unique attributes of this case as well as its connection to similar contemporary energy siting projects will inform the citizen participation, environmental conflict resolution, planning, and energy communities. The research holds insights into making more transparent, widely accepted, and robust decisions regarding controversial energy infrastructure projects.