Energy Democracy Lessons from a Blue Dot in a Red State

• In Event: 50620 - Section on Environmental Sociology Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 15: Governing Energy and Carbon Emissions

Abstract

This research examines the Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), a publicly-owned electric utility, and the structures shaping the impact that Energy Democracy related movements have had in realizing their goals through the institution. This global movement is working to increase public ownership and control of energy infrastructure to address social and environmental injustices including climate change. There are local efforts around the US, and in Maine and New York, to create new statewide public power entities. OPPD provides a case study in a state served exclusively by public power for over 70 years with potential insights into challenges that may await newly democratized utilities. Internally, inertia from past investments, differing staff culture and priorities, and the highly technical nature of energy policy, have posed stumbling blocks for movement-supported elected officials to deliver on their campaign goals, or even caused some to reconsider those goals. Externally, OPPD’s subordinate position within state politics, larger energy industry organizations and regulatory bodies like the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) regional transmission organization create uncertainty and limits to what locally elected officials can do. These challenges are assessed in relation to the existing literature on energy democracy and problems of climate justice and energy transition in the electrical sector.

Author

• Ryan Wishart, Creighton University