Chains of trust: Energy justice, public engagement, and the first offshore wind farm in the United States

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