Power to the People: How the Public has Shaped the Energy Industry
By Kenzie Lewis
Whether it be through small petitions to the local government or major environmental movements all across the globe, society has a strong influence on decisions made in the energy industry. Let’s take a look at how the public has shaped the energy sector in the past, and how you can get involved with energy decisions and make a tangible difference!
The effect of public opinion on past energy decisions: a look at nuclear energy
As the consumers of today’s energy market, members of the public have more influence on where energy comes from than you might think. Historically, one of the most famous examples of the public’s role in shaping the energy industry is through nuclear power. Until the late 1970s, many members of the public worldwide supported nuclear energy development. However, in 1979, a cooling malfunction at a nuclear power plant in the United States, referred to as the Three Mile Island Accident, caused public opinion to change drastically [1]. Some radioactive gas was released after the accident but was determined to be within safe levels, and no adverse health effects were caused from the accident [2]. However, due to miscommunications with officials and the media, a widespread evacuation of local residents took place due to fear of hydrogen explosions and other complications. The fear and panic that was instilled in the public due to the accident contributed to the shift from a majority support for nuclear power to a majority opposition [1]. Figure 1 shows total production of nuclear power between 1965 and 2019. The buffer that can be observed at around 1979 is suspected to have been caused by public concern over nuclear power. A sharp decrease in global nuclear power generation in 2011 can also be observed in 2011. This was also due to public concern around a nuclear power incident, namely the Fukushima Daiichi accident in Japan. This nuclear accident was caused by a large earthquake and tsunami that cut power to the reactor [3]. No deaths were caused from radiation, although several hundred workers received a higher than normal radiation dose due to the accident [4]. The large decrease in nuclear power generation due to public opinion on nuclear power is a great example of how society can shape the energy industry.
Figure 1: Global nuclear power generation from 1965 to 2019. Original image can be found here.
Today, public opinion on nuclear energy has largely shifted back in favour of nuclear power generation. A 2019 poll found that 87% of Canadians are now open to or supportive of small modular reactors as an alternative to fossil fuels [5]. To learn more about small modular reactors, check out this article.
How are people shaping the future of energy today?
Nuclear power isn’t the only way that the public are shaping the future of energy. All over the world, actions and opinions from the public are swaying governments and energy companies towards greener energy and a more sustainable future.
Due to the effects of climate change that are currently being observed in Australia, such as an increase in bushfires and droughts, public pressure is mounting for a new green energy policy. This has led to tangible actions such as the Climate Council’s Clean Jobs Plan [6]. In the United States, some members of the public are taking energy generation matters into their own hands, or rather, their own roofs. About 37% of Americans said that they are seriously considering adding solar panels to their homes in order to generate their own electricity and save some money, and an additional 4% already have solar panels installed [7].
Here in Canada, public concern over climate change is also leading to drastic changes in energy policy and generation, and was one of the key issues that defined the 2020 federal election [8]. In December 2020, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau revealed a new plan to meet its net-zero greenhouse gas emissions target by 2050. Although this is mainly fueled by the Government, as Trudeau mentions, “It is ultimately up to Canadians to continue to choose governments that are serious about reducing climate change and that will be accountable to Canadians every five years” [9]. Even though the government decides what kind of energy policies will be put into place, the public decides the directions in which energy policies should be taken by voting and taking action!
How can you get involved in making energy decisions?
There are many ways that you can let the government and energy companies know how you feel about certain energy decisions. No matter your level of commitment and how you are affected by the decision, there are always ways to get involved!
McMaster University Students: Join or volunteer with a student energy club at McMaster. By reading articles from the McMaster Energy Association, you are already taking a step towards getting involved in the energy industry! Our Energy Week is coming up from March 8-12, and is a great opportunity to connect with leaders in the industry. Registration will be opening soon, and can be found here. Another McMaster club to get involved with is Mac Divest, a group of students that are advocating for McMaster to divest from fossil fuels and support a net-zero Canadian economy. Mac Divest has many current opportunities for students to get involved, including direct action, petitions to sign, and events where you can chat with faculty about reinvesting in green energy. More information on Mac Divest can be found here.
Post a comment on energy-related Environmental Assessments. Whenever a large energy project, such as building a hydroelectric dam or an oil mine is proposed, it has to go through a process called an Environmental Assessment. The public is heavily involved in every step of this process in order to ensure that the project will not have significant adverse impacts on the environment. You can research projects that are currently undergoing Environmental Assessments here. Once the Environmental Assessment is in the public commenting phase, you can even voice your thoughts on the matter and let the government know which projects you support or oppose!
Sign or create a petition related to a federal energy decision. The Federal Government is responsible for setting nation-wide targets related to carbon emissions and energy usage, and is also responsible for decisions such as the regulation of nuclear energy and nuclear materials [10]. If the federal government is debating an energy decision that you feel strongly about, petitions are a great way to let the government know that the public feels strongly about the issue. Make sure to thoroughly research the topic at hand first, and then head over to this site to search for an existing petition to sign or create your own.
Join or donate to community energy associations. There are so many advocacy groups in Canada that are making a difference in the energy sector. For instance, the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association advocates for clean energy initiatives in Canada like the Green Energy Act and feed-in tariffs, which help to incentivise green energy production. Membership to the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association is only $50 per year for students and will allow you to get involved with advocacy and learn more about the industry through talks and networking events. More information on the Ontario Sustainable Energy Association can be found here.
Spend your money wisely! As L. N. Smith once said, “Every dollar you spend . . . or don't spend . . . is a vote you cast for the world you want.” [11]. Major choices like investing in rooftop solar panels may not be a feasible option for most university students, but there are other ways to ensure that your money is supporting the energy future you would like to see! Choosing an electric car over a gas-powered car, purchasing energy-efficient appliances, and investing in sustainable energy companies or environmentally responsible mutual funds are all great ways to support the sustainable energy industry. Many energy companies also provide green pricing or green certificates, which are options that allow you to pay a small premium for clean energy. More information on how to switch to clean electricity can be found here.
The public continues to play an integral role in the future of energy. From changing policies and advocating for new regulations, to contributing to the development of green energy technology, there are many different areas where the public can get involved and make an impact. There’s no time like the present to stand up and have your voice heard!
References
[1] E. Rosa and R. Dunlap, “Poll Trends: Nuclear Power: Three Decades of Public Opinion,” Abbrev. The Public Opinion Quarterly, vol. 58, no. 2, pp. 295–324, 1994. [Online]. Available:
https://www-jstor-org.libaccess.lib.mcmaster.ca/stable/2749543?seq=2#metadata_info_tab_contents
[2] “Three Mile Island”. World Nuclear Association. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/three-mile-island-accident.aspx
[3] National Research Council, “Summary,” in Lessons Learned from the Fukushima Nuclear Accident for Improving Safety of U.S. Nuclear Plants. Washington, DC., United States:
National Academies Press, 2014. [Online]. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK253923/#sec_S_1
[4] “Fukushima Daiichi Accident”. World Nuclear Association. https://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/safety-and-security/safety-of-plants/fukushima-daiichi-accident.aspx
[5] Canadian Nuclear Association. “Broad Openness to New Nuclear, Poll Finds”. https://cna.ca/2019/02/27/broad-openness-to-new-nuclear-poll-finds/
[6] J. Hall. “‘Irrepressible’ pressure mounting on government for major green energy policy”. https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/irrepressible-pressure-mounting-on-government-for-major-green-energy-policy/news-story/d4ce4b6155437d6f82409fad98e46970
[7] Pew Research Centre. “Public Opinion on Renewables and Other Energy Sources”. https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2016/10/04/public-opinion-on-renewables-and-other-energy-sources/
[8] “Canada’s Climate Change Election 2019”. The Energy Mix. https://theenergymix.com/special-reports/climate-election-canada/
[9] “Trudeau to unveil new green measures aimed at meeting goal of net-zero emissions by 2050”. National Post. https://nationalpost.com/news/politics/trudeau-to-unveil-new-green-measures-aimed-at-meeting-goal-of-net-zero-greenhouse-gas-emissions-by-2050
[10] G. Smith. “The Federal/Provincial Electricity Relationship in Canada: It’s Complicated”. https://electricity.ca/blog/the-federalprovincial-electricity-relationship-in-canada-its-complicated/
[11] “Real Democracy: Every Dollar is a Vote”. https://steemit.com/philosophy/@avantmidi/real-democracy-every-dollar-you-spend-is-a-vote