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Visioning a just energy future: a case study of democracy and justice in community renewables

Morales, Kelsey Elizabeth (2018) Visioning a just energy future: a case study of democracy and justice in community renewables. Masters thesis, Northern Arizona University.

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Abstract

Energy consumption is a passive act of industrialized societies that contributes to the injustices and exploitation of communities with energy rich resources. Eliminating injustices within the energy system requires consideration of social and political aspects of such system, which is prevalent within community renewable energy (CRE). CRE aims to decarbonize through renewable energy investment, decentralize through localization of energy supplies, and democratize through community ownership and participatory decision-making (Hicks & Ison, 2011). This research study investigates how CRE exemplifies democratic relationships and just practices as ways to establish equitable energy systems. Presented as a case study, this research highlights the work of MCE Clean Energy (MCE), California’s first community choice aggregate (CCA) program. To evaluate MCE’s democratic and just practices, this research applies two energy justice frameworks to distinguish the strengths of MCE’s work, as well as areas in which democracy and justice can be better incorporated. This case study supports existing CRE work and provides a vision for equitable transformation of energy systems.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Publisher’s Statement: © Copyright is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the Cline Library, Northern Arizona University. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.
Keywords: community renewable energy; democracy; economic degrowth; energy democracy; energy justice; justice
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
NAU Depositing Author Academic Status: Student
Department/Unit: Graduate College > Theses and Dissertations
College of Social and Behavioral Science > Sustainable Communities
Date Deposited: 11 May 2021 17:47
URI: http://openknowledge.nau.edu/id/eprint/5462

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