Diverse community energy futures in Saskatchewan, Canada

Abstract

This research explores peoples' place attachment and context surrounding power production and energy futures. Facilitated, deliberative focus groups were conducted as comparative case studies in three fossil fuel-dependent cities in Saskatchewan Canada: Estevan (situated next to the provincial centers of coal, oil and gas production), Saskatoon (situated more northerly and furthest from coal, oil and gas production) and the capital city of Regina. (situated between the other two communities). This study supports the conclusions: (1) participants believed the focus groups improved their knowledge surrounding power production; (2) although there is strong support for wind and solar power production, there is a gap in implementation; and (3) place-based location impacts perceptions of power production sources. Participants were surveyed before and after focus group meetings to explore the perceptions and preferences of power productions sources. All three communities favored renewables in the order of solar and wind. Estevan, supported carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) to a greater degree and perceived much lower risk surrounding CCS than the other two communities. This may be explained by information gaps in this community. Participants were far less likely to believe a climate crisis is occurring, and while recognizing health concerns surrounding coal, they spent considerably more time discussing the loss of coal and its impact on their economy. Saskatoon, the community furthest from coal oil and gas production, spent considerable time discussing renewables, and when asked about coal, oil and gas identified the need to transition and retrain dependent workers. Although the uranium sector is present in Saskatchewan and in closer proximity to Saskatoon, there was little knowledge or support for new small modular nuclear reactors.

Place-based power production deliberations in Saskatchewan: engaging future sustainability

“…This confirms literature that also has documented differing place attachments in relation to energy and power production (Devine-Wright 2011; Bell et al 2013;Batel and Devine-Wright 2015). Place attachment significantly correlates to an already industrialized mining landscape, such as Estevan's confirming the results of Hurlbert et al (2020). Estevan, with coal power production (also located centrally to coal, oil, and gas resources), substantially differed in results in several significant aspects.…”

“…There is less 'upstream' research surrounding the potential for renewable energy projects before (not after) they are proposed (Devine-Wright and Wiersma 2020) and less knowledge surrounding peoples' perceptions of a whole system portfolio, or future energy scenarios addressing climate change (Pidgeon et al 2014). One study considered the entire power production system, but only through three-hour focused discussions (Hurlbert et al 2020).…”

“…In the context of climate change and sustainability, Saskatchewan's options are narrowing. 1 The province has transitioned from over 70% of its power production supply being attributable to coal, to a mix of renewables, hydro, and natural gas (Hurlbert et al 2020). The provincial utility is subject to increasing regulatory requirements to shut down coal without CCS by 2030 (CER 2020).…”

Place-based Power Production Deliberations in Saskatchewan: Engaging Future Sustainability 

“…The province and crown owned utility, SaskPower, successfully achieved the rst post combustion power production plant with carbon capture and storage (CCS) in 2008 at a coal power plant in Estevan, Saskatchewan (one of the study communities). The province has transitioned from over 70% of its power production supply being attributable to coal, to a mix of renewables, hydro, and natural gas (Hurlbert et al 2020). The provincial utility is subject to increasing regulatory requirements to shut down coal without CCS by 2030 (CER 2020).…”

“…Much community energy acceptance research has concentrated on explaining local objections to actual renewable energy proposals (Devine-Wright and Wiersma 2020), advancing understanding of the gap between expressed support for renewable energy, and its actual implementation (Wustenhagen et al 2007; Devine-Wright 2011; Bell et al 2013;Hurlbert et al 2020). Literature surrounding public participation in energy decisions also often focuses on programs and policies of government (Chilvers et al 2018;Chilvers and Longhurst 2016;Hurlbert 2014).…”