Yes, there are many reasons for NIMBY'ism. Poor pre-engagement with the local area, projects not well thought out, not being pro-active enough, etc.. However, the deliberate political polarization of the energy sector by the intrenched interests, was just that. Because they knew how effective it would be, particularly after witnessing everything that has been going on, and more importantly that which has not been going on (Accountability) since 2016. There are many parts to a complex system, and I use the word system here very broadly. The entire social interaction around this topic (Energy) can be viewed as a system, apart from the actual energy itself.
But not all parts of a complex system have equal effect on all the other parts. It is this fact that gives rise to Linchpin theory. If Linchpin theory is foreign to you, go down to you local "box" store an pick up the game "Jenga". You can pull out almost any block in the tower as it goes up with little to no immediate consequence. However if you pull just the right one (Not the object of the game), the whole tower will come falling down. Like the pancaking of the World Trade Center floors. Make the top couple of floors fall and the whole building comes down. Make a crack at the very bottom of a dam, and the whole dam will burst. Crack at the top, light repair work.
The power interests who have created this social polarization know that the key linchpin to failing all the areas they control through that polarization, is accountability, which is why there has not been any where (Who) it needs to be on. The right block has not been pulled. Now, is there a great dog and pony show going on right now making the appearance of "there is going to be accountability". Sure. You have to have one of those to keep the half time festivities interesting. In the end though, will there be real physical long lasting top level and close quartered accountability? NO. And unfortunately that means we are in for far worse problems, than what form of energy feeds your daily lives. And it also means that it will continue to be a very slow, difficult struggle to get RE where it needs to get to, to satisfy Mother Nature in time.
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william fitch
Owner
www.WeAreSolar.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 10-25-2023 12:12 PM
From: Kat Friedrich
Subject: Solar Today Article: When Communities Oppose Large Solar and Wind Installations
"Not everyone is thrilled to have a utility-scale wind or solar installation next door. Even those who favor the use of solar, wind and other clean energy alternatives have a different view of things when a large-scale project is planned for just down the road in an otherwise rural or scenic setting."
Read this article by Joel Stronberg, president of The JBS Group/Civil Notion and member of ASES...
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Kat Friedrich
Editor in Chief
American Solar Energy Society
Monona WI
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