Doctoral Dissertation Research: Energy transitions and desirable futures in extraction-based economies of North America

这个论文项目调查了强大的演员、叙事和地区身份如何聚集在一起，以支持或阻碍公正的能量转换。这项研究的重点是混合能源倡议，即利用以前的化石燃料基础设施和景观来容纳清洁技术或创造绿色就业机会的倡议。混合能源倡议的例子包括清理不活跃的油气井、重新利用化石燃料棕地生产可再生能源或从化石燃料废物中回收关键矿物的项目和计划。通过分析与混合能源过渡相关的政策、叙述和动力动态，该项目向更强大和更有弹性的能源过渡提供方案和政策。该项目借鉴了政治生态和科学技术研究，采用了定性和计算方法的跨国比较研究。这项研究提出了两个主要问题：(1)这两个地区的能源转型的起源、权力结构和政策是什么，它们是否达到了公平和正义的目标？(2)强大的参与者、地区身份和物质条件如何影响人们对未来能源生产和使用的看法？归根结底，揭示了对未来的相互竞争的愿景，它们是如何形成的，以及它们是如何获得力量的。能源转型有可能应对与化石燃料生产和消费相关的环境挑战。它们还为解决与平等和正义有关的问题提供了机会之窗。对这两个地区的比较得出了规范和政策相关的结论，以实现更具弹性和更公正的能源过渡。这一奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This dissertation project investigates how powerful actors, narrative and regional identities come together to support or hinder just energy transitions. The research focuses on hybrid energy initiatives, defined as initiatives that use former fossil fuel infrastructure and landscapes to house clean technologies or create green jobs. Examples of hybrid energy initiatives include projects and programs that clean-up inactive oil and gas wells, repurpose fossil fuel brownfields for renewable energy production, or recover critical minerals from fossil fuel waste. By analyzing the policies, narratives, and power dynamics associated with hybrid energy transitions this project informs programs and policies toward stronger and more resilient energy transitions.The project draws on political ecology and science and technology studies in a cross-national comparative study that employs qualitative and computational methods. The research asks two main questions: (1) what are the origins, power structures and policies enabling energy transitions in the two regions and are they meeting equity and justice goals? (2) how are perceptions of energy production and use in the future influenced by powerful actors, regional identities, and material conditions? A final analysis uncovers competing visions of the future, how they are formed, and how they gain strength. Energy transitions have potential to address environmental challenges related to fossil fuel production and consumption. They also present windows of opportunity to address issues related to equality and justice. A comparison of the two regions draws normative and policy relevant conclusions toward the achievement of more resilient and just energy transitions.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.