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Power and smart meters: A political perspective on the social acceptance of energy projects
Author(s) -
Jegen Maya,
Philion Xavier D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
canadian public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.361
H-Index - 26
eISSN - 1754-7121
pISSN - 0008-4840
DOI - 10.1111/capa.12202
Subject(s) - opposition (politics) , monopoly , normative , politics , public policy , electricity , public administration , power (physics) , sociology , economics , public relations , political economy , political science , law , market economy , engineering , physics , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics
Social acceptance has become a key consideration for promoters, government officials and citizens when instituting new energy infrastructures and technologies. Often theorized in normative terms, it is not clear whether and when social acceptance matters. This article explores the rollout of smart meters in Quebec, which proceeded despite significant opposition from municipalities, community groups and unions. Drawing on core concepts from punctuated equilibrium theory—policy monopoly, policy venue, policy image—we argue that this opposition had no policy venue to express its grievances. Quebec's electricity sector, with a stable policy environment controlled by a policy monopoly and buttressed by a strong policy image, provided few opportunities to expand the conflict. We conclude from this analysis that public administrators should consider power when measuring social acceptance in political processes.