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AUTHORS:
Dr. Cecilio Ortiz Garcia
Dr. Marla Perez‐Lugo
Dr. Ivan Baiges
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Recommendations for effective community participation and
education strategies.
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY1 Recent changes in Puerto Rico’s energy policy environment have opened a window of
opportunity for the development of renewable energy projects. Support for renewable technologies both on environmental (green energy) and economic (ending oil dependency) grounds is generally perceived as substantial in Puerto Rico. However, as exemplified by the literature on social acceptance of renewable energy technologies, implementation of renewable energy projects, wind energy projects in particular, has encountered strong opposition around the world2.
In recognition of the financial, technological, environmental and political complexities involved in the siting renewable energy projects, and the substantial financial commitment such ventures entail, it becomes imperative for project developers to possess all relevant information necessary for their successful implementation. What are the most significant factors influencing the social acceptance of renewable energy projects? How do communities perceive such projects in their backyards? What strategies, processes and initiatives can assist in bringing communities and developers together to collaborate in the development of a renewable energy project? Applied social research, mainly on the social acceptance of renewable energy technologies can assist in answering these questions BEFORE the planning and design phases of a renewable energy project.
The main purpose of this study is to provide Aspenall Energies, LLC, with empirical data on community perception and attitudes regarding the location of a pilot wind project in Vieques, P.R. Based on the data compiled through triangulation, including the administration of a survey to 157 adults that live in the area surrounding the site and 10 in depth interviews with community leaders, this report describes the knowledge and attitudes regarding renewable technologies, including but not exclusive to eolic energy, among Viequenses. In addition, it identifies key topics and issues for the development of an environmental education project in Vieques. Finally, it provides general suggestions on how to design and implement an effective community participation strategy in the island. Our results are summarized into the following twelve points.
1. There is low recognition of the term “renewable energy” among members of the community surrounding the proposed site. However, general recognition of solar and wind technologies were high.
THIS STUDY WAS FUNDED ENTIRELY BY ASPENALL ENERGIES, LLC INC. HOWEVER, WE WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE COLLABORATION OF THE CENTER FOR APPLIED SOCIAL RESEARCH AND OUR RESEARCH ASSISTANTS ING. LUIS ECHEVARRIA, ING. ALVARO BERNAL, AND THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS MR. JUAN GUTIERREZ, MS. VALERIE ARROYO, AND MS. MARIANA ARROYO FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AT UPRM. 2 A recently proposed wind energy project in Guayanilla has encountered substantial public opposition, first by local community groups surrounding the proposed site, and eventually supported by large national organizations such as the Sierra Club.
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2. Overall there is a positive attitude towards wind energy, in many ways comparable to solar energy. Both solar and wind technologies are perceived as the safest, environmentally friendliest and most viable for implementation of all alternative energy technologies.
3. Regarding public participation, the community would like to be involved throughout the whole decision‐making process, and they would like to be informed of the plans as early as possible.
4. The developer and the Mayor of Vieques are perceived as responsible for informing the community. That communication is preferred to be in person or through the mail.
5. Public hearings and community meetings in community centers during the evenings seem to be the preferred channel for participation.
6. A need was expressed for receiving the meeting agenda in advance and access to relevant documents and independents experts to enhance public participation.
7. Most community leaders see the development of renewable energy technology in a relatively positive light. At the same time, they conceive a successful renewable/wind project in Vieques as one that integrates the input and needs of the community along with commercial interests.
8. Some of the main concerns/questions expressed by community leaders regarding the proposed wind project are:
a. What is in it for Vieques? b. Why this particular equipment? c. What are the equipment’s characteristics, particularly in sound and appearance? d. Why was the proposed location chosen? e. Who is the developer? f. What would be the project’s environmental impact? g. Is this project a means for energy independence, or would be still remain dependent on
PREPA?
9. The sustainability of a renewable energy project in Vieques depends in part on its ability to insert itself on the actual organizational structure in the Viequense community. Therefore it becomes important to look at Viequense organizational structure and the policy networks that were created during “la lucha”. A number of organizations in Vieques are organized in small cooperatives and focus on a single policy issue such as the need for cultural preservation activities, recreation for the youth, the development of leadership skills among women, the betterment of health services, increase of economic opportunities for the locals, and the improvement of the marine transport system between Vieques and Fajardo.
10. The success of the project depends on how it addresses salient issues among the Viequense
community. However, there are notable differences between the ranking of salient Vieques
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issues by main islanders and the ranking done by Viequenses. There seems to be an inversion of priorities with mainland perceptions of salient issues concentrating on environmental contamination and other issues related to the navy’s departure, while Viequenses are more concerned with issues related to their daily quality of life: the lack of real political representation of Vieques´ interests in state/mainland´s politics, monopoly over basic services such as food and gas, and land speculators driving up real‐estate prices. Therefore, the issues that the project should address need to emanate from the community perspective instead of an outsider’s perception of Viequenses needs.
11. Regarding the variables associated to social acceptance, what the Viequenses enjoyed the most about their community was the visual landscape and the peacefulness of the area. This is a significant finding, as visual landscape issues have been found to be highly correlated to wind energy facility siting (Wolsnik, 2007).
12. Future mobilization around issues such as renewable energy in Vieques, will most likely rest on
the organizational structures developed during the period of civil disobedience and protests against the Navy. Therefore, all cooperatives, citizen groups, non governmental organizations, etc. are essential stakeholders to be included in. However, their leadership appears to be highly fragmented and involved in interpersonal struggle.
In general, our data shows an overwhelming concern over the social and economic repercussions of the project rather than its more technical aspects such as the size and design of the wind turbines or the kilowatts per hour that are going to be produced. When we analyze responses on process and public participation we find the recurrent viewpoint that a desire for a high degree of involvement in the early stages of planning and design was expressed. These results point to the overwhelming importance of process and outcomes dimensions of the project even over the more technical aspects (Wolsnik, et.al., 2007) By “process” we mean who develops and run the project, who is involved, and who influences the decisions made. By “outcome” we refer to how the positive and negative products of the project are distributed both socially and geographically. In other words, outcome relates to the question of who the project is for.
Based on these results ITEAS recommends the development and implementation of a Joint Community Education and Participation Strategy (JCEPS) using the following elements:
1. The positive attitudes towards wind energy expressed by sampled populations should be interpreted with caution given the documented gap between positive attitudes towards renewable energy (and even wind energy in general) and social acceptance of the implementation of a particular project on a particular site.
2. Community opposition to the establishment of the wind farm pilot project might be a result of
contextual factors specific to Vieques rather than a lack of knowledge of wind energy (the
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phenomenon known as NIMBY). A lack of sensitivity to such concerns could prove fatal to the successful implementation.
3. Viequenses are more concerned with socio‐economic‐political issues related to their daily
quality of life: the lack of real political representation of Vieques´s interests in state/mainland´s politics, monopoly over basic services such as food and gas, and land speculators driving up real‐estate prices, than with traditional environmental issues such as contamination and biodiversity. This finding aligns Viequenses’ interpretation of their relation to the environment with an environmental justice perspective. Environmental education should focus on clearly making the connection between the implementation of the wind energy project and societal issues Viequenses care about the most.
4. In general, a high degree of involvement in the early stages of planning and design is recommended. Our results point to the importance of process and outcomes dimensions of the project even over the more technical aspects. While formal communication should come mainly from the developer and the Mayor of Vieques, identification of trusted members of the community and capacity building of these individuals through activities such as workshops and collaborative planning sessions is highly recommended.
5. Public hearings and community meetings in community centers during the evenings seem to be the preferred channel for participation. A need was expressed for receiving the meeting agenda in advance and access to relevant documents and independents experts to enhance public participation.
6. Some effort should be invested into socializing the community members into the scientific and technical lingo of renewable energy. At the same time, participatory environmental education initiatives should focus on answering the questions about concrete aspects of the project itself posed by the participants, even when perceived as unrelated to wind energy.
7. Cooperative/citizen groups are essential stakeholders. These organizations have developed a high level of sophistication both in terms of their theoretical grounding and strategies for action and should be incorporated into any environmental education and participation efforts. Despite of having a lot of Anglo organizations in the island and their apparently positive attitudes towards renewable energy, we recommend caution in generalizing on this attitude to the island as a whole.
8. Segmentation when determining the design of a social acceptance campaign and the use of a participatory planning approach for this project is important. This serves the dual purpose of a strong educational tool and at the same time a booster for effective capacity building and public participation.
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This study suggests that public participation and education strategies that focus on early involvement of community members into the design and planning stages of the proposed wind energy project, have the potential of enhancing the prospects of its successful implementation. That involvement could very well be structured through collaborative planning activities which integrate a strong educational component as participants learn from each others experience, and ensure feelings of participation in all stages of the project. The sense of ownership fostered by these activities will go a long way towards Aspenall’s pilot wind project becoming a reality in Vieques.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 7
Literature Review ........................................................................................................................................ 10
Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy Projects .................................................................................. 10
Vieques as a case study ........................................................................................................................... 13
Methodology ............................................................................................................................................... 15
Results ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
Identification and analysis of key stakeholders ...................................................................................... 18
Description of knowledge and attitudes regarding wind energy among the surveyed communities. .. 23
Community perceptions and attitudes towards public participation in the siting process.................... 28
Key issues and recommendations for community participation and environmental education. .......... 32
Relevant Literature ..................................................................................................................................... 35
Appendix A: Survey Instrument .................................................................................................................. 39
Appendix B: Text of Informed Consent Form ............................................................................................. 48
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INTRODUCTION Renewable energy schemes are slowly creeping up the policy agendas of a number of countries around the world. The economic uncertainty associated with rising crude oil prices and the environmental uncertainties brought about by research on global climate change, has opened a window of opportunity for the implementation of various renewable technologies. Wind energy in particular, stands out as the renewable having the most impressive growth in a number of countries around the world (Wüstenhagen et. al., 2007). Puerto Rico is no stranger to the exploration of renewable energy schemes for electricity generation. The island’s experience with wind energy generation dates back to the oil crisis of the seventies. Having been heralded as an ideal laboratory for renewable energy research and development, the Department of Energy (DOE) installed an experimental wind turbine in
Culebra in the early 1980’s. Despite previous efforts such as this one, and the island’s recognition as an excellent renewable
laboratory, implementation of large wind energy projects is still non‐existent.
Recent changes in Puerto Rico’s energy policy environment have allowed for government backing of private investors to develop projects in the area of renewable energy. In the area of wind energy, WindMar RE, for example, has proposed a medium sized wind power project located along the southern coast of Puerto Rico in the Municipality of Guayanilla. According to official reports “the facility, will generate about 50 megawatts of power that will provide emission‐free electricity for the equivalent of about 20,000 local households (Kerlinger, 2003). While support for renewable technologies both on environmental (green energy) and economic (ending oil dependency) grounds is generally perceived as substantial in Puerto Rico, the planning
and siting phases of the project have encountered substantial public opposition, first by local community groups and eventually by large national organizations such as the Sierra Club. Questions regarding this gap between general acceptance of renewable energy, on an abstract sense, and low public support for specific projects of stakeholders at the local level, provide both a fertile area for scientific research and business consulting. In essence, it allows for the exploration of what has been identified as “the one factor that can potentially be a powerful barrier to the achievement of renewable energy targets: social acceptance (Wüstenhagen et al.) 2007).”
At the request of Aspenall Technologies, a team of researchers and students affiliated to the Tropical Institute for Energy, Society and the Environment (ITEAS), underwent a scientific research project to explore key determinants of social acceptance for a proposed wind energy pilot project in the
FIGURE 1 EXPERIMENTAL WIND TURBINEINSTALLED IN CULEBRA IN 1980. PICTUREPROVIDED BY THE AEE.
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island of Vieques. The project sough explore the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of local communities to the siting and operation of two towers measuring approximately 30 meters (100 feet) high, with a wind turbine of 250 kW, manufactured by Nedwind which was acquired by Vestas. Depending on the success of this pilot project Aspenall Technologies could solicit permits for the development of additional turbines of higher generational capacity. As such the ITEAS research team concentrated on social acceptance as the goal of Aspenall Technologies with this project. Rather than simply providing a public opinion survey of Vieques communities, the study seeks to identify factors that could contribute to the success or failure of this wind energy project, to then provide insights for the design of a community education program and public participation strategy to ensure early community involvement in the project.
The dominant view in the literature on social acceptance of renewable energy projects is that the public should participate in the decision‐making processes associated to project planning and design, siting and evaluation (Breukers and Wolsink, 2007; Laurian, 2003; Smith Korfmacher, K, 2001; Brody, 2003; Rowe and Frewer, 2000; Karkkainen, Fung and Sabel, 2000; Milich and Varady, 1999; Foltz, 1999). The consulted studies suggest that a community that is involved in the planning process is less likely to oppose a project’s implementation (Brody, 2003; Korfmacher, 2001; Karkkainen, Fung and Sabel, 2000). The literature also emphasizes that effective participation schemes are legitimate, transparent, and responsive to public’s input (Robbins, 2004; Zerner, 2000; Schroeder, 1997; Mckay and Acheson, 1987; Webler, et. al, 2001, just to mention a few). Also, successful public participation processes usually combine open public meetings and forums, outreach efforts and environmental education, and different levels of advisory and technical committees.
The purpose of any environmental education project is to influence individual’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors in regards to a natural resource. Laurian (2003) and Smith and Korfmacher (2000) argue that environmental knowledge and awareness are prerequisites to perceptions of environmental risks and in this regard provide the foundation for public participation. In the context of effective public participation, environmental knowledge is the capacity to at least partially understand the interrelations between aspects of management that fall in a wide range of scientific disciplines. Also, very often the legitimacy of the stakeholders is based on their dominion of the scientific discourse of management. Many times, the value of community participation does not depend on how much knowledge they have about an issue, but on how scientific (as opposed to traditional, religious, cultural) their knowledge is. Using invalid evidence de‐legitimizes the community as stakeholder and devalues their participation in the decision‐making process (Hannigan, 1995).
This report titled “STUDY ON COMMUNITY PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDES ABOUT THE LOCATION OF A PILOT WINDFARM PROJECT IN VIEQUES: RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND EDUCATION STRATEGIES” is organized in three main parts. First, we present some background information on social acceptance of the siting of wind energy projects, and some contextual information on Vieques as a case study. In the second part, we describe the methodologies utilized for the data collection, including the conceptualization and operationalization of the variables under study, the development and pre‐testing of instruments, sampling techniques, and survey and interview administration procedures. Third, we summarize and analyze the results and provide concrete
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recommendations for the development of an environmental education project, and an effective community participation strategy for the project. Finally, our report includes full references and an appendix section providing survey instruments, the interview protocol, and other relevant documentation. It is our intent that this project serves as a model to be replicated in other municipalities in Puerto Rico as well as for other renewable energy schemes, as appropriate.
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LITERATURE REVIEW
Social acceptance, and its role in energy policy implementation, has become an area of major scientific inquiry since the 1980’s (Wüstenhagen et. al., 2007). The advent of the concept of sustainability since the mid 1980’s has helped in the re‐framing of siting decisions as not only dependent on environmental and economic factors for their implementation, but social factors as well. At its most elemental level, sustainability involves the satisfaction of present generation’s needs without compromising the resources available for future generations (Brundtland Report, UN Conference in Rio de Janeiro, 1992). This definition finds its grounding on the integration of the economic, environmental and social justice spheres in order to achieve better decisions and ultimately sustainable policies and projects. Chapter 23, Section III of the Agenda 21, 1992 in Rio de Janeiro further states:
“One of the fundamental prerequisites for the achievement of sustainable development is broad public participation in decision‐making. Furthermore, in the more specific context of environment and development, the need for new forms of participation has emerged. This includes the need of individuals, groups and organizations to participate in environmental impact assessment procedures and to know about and participate in decisions, particularly those which potentially affect the communities in which they live and work.”
The following paragraphs provide a brief literature review on social acceptance of renewable energy projects, as well as background socio‐economic, political and environmental information on the island of Vieques, where the proposed site is located.
SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE OF RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS
Consideration of social acceptance factors in the siting decisions of large energy facilities such as
nuclear power plants and waste storage facilities, as well as large hydropower dams, have recently become arenas where heated debates are held in the search for what is now known as environmental equity or justice rather than just being considered “residual questions” or “non‐technical factors”. The literature has well documented the way in which cultural, social and political aspects influence the social acceptance of renewable energy technologies. For example, sustainability authors point out that a latent feeling of inequity in the community can be heightened by previous contamination incidents. The incidents can amplify perceptions of environmental risk and reinforce perceptions of distributional, procedural, and process inequities (Pijawka, 1998). The importance of equity considerations are further exemplified by recent studies that point to public trust (especially in the facility developer), early and continuous public involvement in the facility siting process, and an adaptive strategy that involves incorporating citizens' concerns into siting and operation decisions as major determinants of a higher likelihood of siting success. (Ibitayo and Pijawka, 1998)
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Wüstenhagen et. al. (2007) has identified three separate yet interdependent dimensions of social acceptance that deem further study. The first dimension is the socio‐political acceptance of technologies and policies by the public, key stakeholders, and policy makers. The second dimension is the community acceptance, including trust and perceptions of procedural and distributional justice. The third dimension is the market acceptance (consumers, investors, and intra‐firm). Figure 1 symbolizes the triangle of social acceptance of renewable energy innovation (Wüstenhagen, et. al., 2007)
This project focuses on the second dimension, namely community acceptance, due to our particular interest on community attitudes, perceptions and general knowledge on renewable energy sources. However we must stress that all three dimensions are equally important and interdependent. Community acceptance refers to “the specific acceptance of siting decisions and renewable energy projects by local stakeholders, particularly residents and local authorities (Wüstenhagen et. al., 2007).”
The first studies conducted on the issue of social acceptance for wind power were performed by Carlman (1984). Going beyond the mere tracking of public opinion, she carried out a study on the acceptance of wind power among decision makers. She stated that siting of wind turbines is “also a matter of public, political and regulatory acceptance (Carlman, 1984, p. 339).” Another study (Wolsnik, 1987) focused on issues such as the underrating of the crucial significance of landscape issues in the development of attitudes towards wind power schemes (cited on Wüstenhagen et. al., 2007). Further research has continued to shed light on questions regarding scale of installations, options for ownership and decentralization of power supply (Wolsnik, 1987)
According to the literature, one of the most salient features of community acceptance is its time element. Wolsink (2007) argues that the typical pattern of acceptance before, during, and after a project follows a U curve, going from high acceptance to relatively low acceptance during the siting phase and back up to a higher level of acceptance once a project is up and running. Van der Horst (2007), furthermore, points to community stigmatization and its proximity to the site as highly influential. The two broad conclusions in his studies of community acceptance are:
• Proximity does have a strong influence on public attitudes to proposed wind projects but the nature strength and spatial scale of this effect may vary according to the local context and the value of the land. Residents of stigmatized places, for example, are more likely to welcome facilities that are perceived as “green”, while people who derive positive sense of identity from particular rural landscapes are likely to resists such potential developments, especially if they already live there.
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• The fear of being branded a NIMBY, and the positive ethics associated with the notion of
renewable are likely to color the responses of interviewees in studies such as this one.
Jobert (2007) also recognizes that social acceptance of wind projects depends on both planning rules and local factors. To him, the significance of the visual landscape and the scale of the wind energy scheme being proposed are so high that he finds there is no other alternative but to ensure that decision‐making processes recognize the importance of local actors by “adopting a collaborative approach to siting” (Jobert et al., 2007). Ultimately, fairness and equity concerns have gained in prominence as significant factors affecting social acceptance of renewable technologies.
However, justice or fairness associated factors are all but homogeneous across groups (Gross 2007). Different sections of a community are likely to be influenced by different aspects of justice, namely outcome fairness, outcome favorability, or procedural justice (Gross, 2007). Her paper suggests that siting processes that are perceived as unfair can result in protests, damaged relationships, and divided communities, particularly when decisions are perceived as partial to the benefit of some and not others in the community. Walker and Devine‐Wright (2007) further suggest that in terms of outcomes, renewable energy projects can become more locally divisive and controversial if benefits are not generally shared between local people. Implicit in these studies is the issue of trust. Therefore, due to the risks involved in the implementation of any renewable energy project, trust is a key component in all facility siting issues, and the openness of the process for local involvement and the flexibility and open minds, especially from outside actors coming in to the community, are crucial (Wüstenhagen et al., 2007).
In summary, a large amount of studies have identified the factors associated with social acceptance of wind energy parks such as, landscape distortion, phase of the siting, community stigmatization, perception of procedural fairness, cumulative negative impacts, and distribution of positive outcomes. Most studies point to the issue of visual impact as the most obvious and studied reason for opposition to wind energy projects. However, significant importance is also given to:
• Wind park size ‐ small parks being more acceptable than big ones with more turbines according (Wolsnik & van der Wart , 1989)
• Motion of rotor blades ‐ motion of rotor blades has a positive effect on acceptance due to the perception that working turbines confirm expectations of benefit (Righter, 2002)
• Possibility of stakeholder participation in the wind energy project ‐ possibility of financial benefit (Maillebouis, 2003), and ownership (or sense of ownership) of the park (Wolsnik, 2006).
• Quality of public participation in the planning process for the wind energy park (Bosely and Bosely, 1988).
• Community knowledge ‐ how well informed are local residents about wind energy and what the chosen site was previously used for (Wolsnik, 1996)
• Quality of communication with the community
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VIEQUES AS A CASE STUDY
“If nothing else is clear on the island, it is obvious that the Viequense people do not need more missions or projects. Any academic or activist undertakings, therefore, must ultimately promote one thing: that the people, place, and perceptions of Vieques move toward alternative and better futures…” (Hayes‐Conroy, 2005)
The island of Vieques, an island municipality of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is about seven miles east of the main island of Puerto Rico. The island is about 21 miles long and roughly 4 miles wide, with an east/west orientation. Beginning during World War II, and until very recently, the east and west ends of the island were controlled by the U.S. Navy. According to Rabin (1998), Vieques has “framed its existence as a Caribbean island on the basis of continued struggle.” During the last sixty years of the island's history, and until the Navy’s departure in 2003, the struggle centered on regaining control over ¾ of Vieques territory expropriated by the US military since the 1940's. The island’s relationship with the Navy is encapsulated in the words of current Governor Anibal Acevedo Vila in 2001 while still resident commissioner in Washington, DC,
“Vieques has not experienced the promised economic benefits from the Navy's occupation of two‐thirds of the island. The lack of economic opportunities can be linked to the Navy's failure to fulfill its promises. In 1983, the Navy and the government of Puerto Rico signed a "memorandum of understanding" that articulated the rules for the Navy's training practices and obligated it to help with the island‐municipality's economic development, to repair environmental damage and to take safety measures during exercises. These promises were broken from the beginning. Instead of reducing use of live ammunition, the Navy increased it by 25 percent from 1983 to 1998. Instead of increasing economic aid for Vieques, the Navy has failed time and again to provide necessary programs to assist residents.”
In 2003 the military land was turned over the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to be preserved as a
National Wildlife Refuge. For the most part, the civilian section continues to be the middle third of the island. At the time of the Navy’s departure, a recent article in The Nation, expressed:
“The Navy's departure from the island last May was a bittersweet victory for those who had fought for decades to make it a reality. There was jubilation at having defeated the Goliath which, in 1941, expropriated three‐fourths of Vieques's land and displaced half the population. And there was deep satisfaction in expelling the killers of David Sanes, the civilian guard killed by an errant Navy bomb in 1999. But the celebration was tainted by fear for Vieques's future. That future continues to be as uncertain today as it was the day the Navy left the island.”
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The story of the Viequense peoples’ struggle to regain local control of their island is a long and complicated one, and it is still being written today. The islanders’ victory over the Navy in 2003 was without a doubt an important step towards their goal, and yet its success is still only partial. Today, the islands close to 10,000 inhabitants are still grappling with issues that existed even before the Navy’s decision to leave: deficient transportation services, land speculation, lack of access to health services and economic underdevelopment, among others. Furthermore, the lands expropriated by the Navy in the 1940s have not been returned to the people of Vieques, but rather remain under the control of the US Government, now belonging to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The residents of Vieques do not have access to these lands because they have been designated a conservation site, which denies human use, and also because they been contaminated with chemicals, heavy metals, and unexploded ordinance, and are awaiting a comprehensive clean up.
Chronicles of “la lucha” encountered through the literature review performed for this project suggest the early presence of alternative energy examples being utilized by those engaged in civil disobedience and supporters. Ruiz Marrero (2000) depicts the multiple examples of what could be considered the seeds of “green” behavior when he talks about camps utilizing solar panels and small wind generators to generate electricity. When outlining the possible opportunities for economic development in the island after the Navy’s departure, Rabin (1998) suggested:
“Other economic possibilities have been mentioned, ecotourism projects, the creation of research centers on marine biology and the town’s history, agriculture, fishing, crafts. Our climate makes possible the generation of enough energy without pollution (solar and wind) as part of an ecologically sensitive development”
As the previous pages suggest, Vieques presents us with a unique opportunity to assess the impact of a number of political, social cultural and economic factors in shaping the social acceptance of a renewable energy project in the island. The following section describes the methodology utilized in our study, followed by a detailed analysis of the results obtained
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METHODOLOGY
As presented in the previous sections and according to the literature on the siting of wind energy projects, the objectives of this research are:
A. To provide a stakeholder analysis to identify important actors at the local level and their position regarding the siting of the pilot wind farm.
B. To describe knowledge and attitudes regarding eolic energy among the Vieques community. C. To identify key topics and issues for the development of an environmental education project. D. To suggest an effective community participation strategy.
To reach those goals, we used a crossectional design combining both quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. During the first stage of the project, we identified ten (10) key informants, all community leaders in Vieques, and conducted in‐depth interviews to obtain their position regarding the siting of the pilot wind farm. The participants were selected using stakeholder identification and snowball sampling techniques. The interviews were conducted by two of the principal investigators (Dr. Cecilio Ortiz Garcia and Dr. Marla Perez Lugo) at the participant’s place and time of preference, using an interview protocol as a guide (see Appendix A for the interview protocol). They were approximately one and a half hours long and were tape‐recorded, with verbal consent of the participant, to ensure the authenticity of the data. The notes and the recordings were transcribed, coded and analyzed according to the objectives of the project.
During the second stage of the project, a census of all adult (twenty one years and older) residents of the barrios Santa Maria, Bastimento, Bravos de Boston and Monte Santo was administered to measure the concepts “knowledge” and “attitudes regarding eolic energy” among Viequenses (see Figure 4 for Fieldwork Map). “Knowledge” was conceptualized in terms of the subject’s recognition of the term “renewable energy” and each of the technologies generally associated with it. “Attitudes regarding eolic energy” was conceptualized as the positive of negative predisposition regarding eolic energy technology and other renewable, including perception of risk and viability of implementation.
The survey data was collected during the month of June 2008 using a closed ended questionnaire composed by forty three (43) items (see Appendix B for instrument). The instrument and the interviews were conducted and analyzed in Spanish to preserve the authenticity of the responses. The data were translated after the analysis for their inclusion in this report. The items in the questionnaire were grouped into three main batteries with indicators of “knowledge” and “attitudes regarding eolic energy.” Other
items aligned to findings in the literature FIGURE 2 FIELD WORK AREA
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review pointing towards the importance of knowledge about renewable energy, perceived fairness in process and outcomes, and socio‐economic characteristics of the community were included as well. The questionnaire was administered individually, face‐to‐face by four research assistants that contributed to the data collection. An informed consent form was distributed before the interview and the purpose of the study was explained verbally by the interviewer. The interviewers were all students at UPRM, two graduate and two undergraduates, in the disciplines of social sciences and engineering. They were trained in advance to guarantee consistency in the administration and coding of the participants’ responses. Potential participants were selected using their age, due to IRB restrictions, and their place of residence in reference to the proposed site as main criteria. This last criterion follows the ample evidence found in studies based in Europe and the United States that identifies visual landscape factors as the main reason for acceptance or rejection of proposed wind farms (Pasqualetti, 2000; Wolsink, 2006).
A total of one hundred and fifty seven subjects (n=157), older than 18 years and self reported permanent residents of the barrios Santa Maria, Bastimento, Bravos de Boston and Monte Santo participated in this stage of the project. The sample represents 24% of the total population of the census track and 0.2% of the total population in Vieques3 (see Table 1). Out of the 157 participants, 52.2% were men and 47.8% were women. As shown in Table 1, this gender distribution is slightly different than the one described for the population of Vieques and Puerto Rico. Their average age was 49 years, ranging from 18 to 89 years old, which is also higher than the average age of 35 years reported for Vieques and 32 in Puerto Rico. 40% of the surveyed reported obtaining a high school diploma as the highest academic degree achieved, which is lower that in Vieques and in Puerto Rico. A 15% of the participants obtained a middle school diploma, 16.8% have associate degrees, and 12.9% report having a bachelor’s degree, and 2.6% claim to have a master’s degree or more.
A majority of respondents (61.8%) reported not having any children (under the age of 18) under their custody which is congruent with the high average age reported. A 64.4% have a monthly household income of $1,499 or less (an annual income $17,988 or less per household). We were unable to compare these results with Census information due to differences in the income categories. We used more and smaller categories to make finer distinctions by income. In terms of labor participation of our surveyed Viequenses, 31.6% work full‐time, 11.8% works part‐time, 31.6% are not working for a salary, and 25% self report themselves as unemployed. This represents a 43% of labor participation in our sample, which is slightly higher than in Vieques and in Puerto Rico overall. However, further analysis of the interviews suggests that the last category (unemployed) includes people who could fall in other categories (like the category "not working for a salary"), such as the participants that identified
3 Although this project conducted a census of the area immediate to the proposed wind farm, the response rate is not available because of insufficient information about the number of vacant or even vacation houses in the surveyed areas. Overall, according to the US Census Bureau, Vieques has a total of 4,388 housing units from which 3,319 (75.6%) are occupied. The census track that comprehends the research area has 506 housing units, from which 69% are occupied (either by owners or renters), and 21% are classified as seasonal housing. However, data provided by key informants and changes in the real state market suggest that the number of vacation houses and/or absentee landowners is increasing rapidly (US Census Bureau, 2000).
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themselves as home makers. See Table 1 for a more comprehensive description of the sample compared to the total population of Vieques and Puerto Rico4.
TABLE 1 DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SAMPLE COMPARED TO THE VIEQUES'S TOTAL POPULATION AND PUERTO RICO (US CENSUS BUREAU, 2000).
Sample (n=157) Vieques (N= 9,106) Puerto Rico (N= 3,808,610) Sex/Gender:
Male= 82 (52.2%) Female= 75 (47.8%)
Sex/Gender: Male= 4,512 (49.5%)
Female= 4,594 (50.5%)
Sex/Gender: Male= 1,833,577 (48%)
Female= 1,975,033 (52%)
Age: Median= 49
Under 5 years= N/A 18 years and over= 88 (56%) 56 years and over= 69 (44%)
Age: Median= 35
Under 5 years= 711 (8%) 18 years and over= 6,402 (70%)56 years and over= 1,263 (14%)
Age:Median= 32
Under 5 years= 295,406 (8%) 18 years and over= 2,716,509 (71%)56 years and over= 425,137 (11%)
Education (highest academic degree achieved among population 25 years and over, n=137):
Middle school = 40 (29%) High school diploma= 49 (36%) Associate degrees = 24 (18%)
Bachelor’s degree or higher = 24 (18%)
Education (highest academic degree achieved among population 25 years and over, N=5,572):
Middle school= Unavailable High school=2,805 (50.3%)
Associate degree = Unavailable Bachelor’s degree or higher= 564 (8.7%)
Education (highest academic degree achieved among population 25 years and over, N= 2,288,326):
Middle school= Unavailable High school= 1,371,922 (60%)
Associate degree = Unavailable Bachelor’s degree or higher= 418,253 (18%)
Family yearly income5 = $0‐5,988 = 30 (22%)
$5,999 – 11,988 = 31 (23%) $11,999 – 17,988 = 25 (19%) $17,999 or more = 47 (36%)
Family yearly income= $0‐$10,000 = 1,126 (47%)
$10,000 – 14,999 = 357 (15%)$15,000 – 24,999 = 546 (16%) $25,000 or more = 496 (21%)
Family yearly income= $0‐$10,000 = 316,675 (31%)
$10,000 – 14,999 = 150,199 (15%)$15,000 – 24,999 = 202,828 (20%)$25,000 or more = 338,857 (45%)
Marital status Married males = 45 (62%)
Married females= 28 (38%) Living with children under 18= 60
(38%)
Marital status (for population 15 years and over)
Married males= 1,729 (52%)Married females= 1,695 (48%)
Living with children under 18= 2,249 (25%)
Marital status (for population 15 years and over)
Married males= 755,195 (55%)Married females= 754,208 (49%)
Living with children under 18= 936,719 (25%)
Labor participation (for population 16 years and over in the labor force): 66 (43%)
Works full‐time = 31.6% Works part‐time = 11.8%
Labor participation (for population 16 years and over in the labor force): 2,395 (36%)
Labor participation (for population 16 years and over in the labor force): 1,156,532 (41%)
Total housing units in surveyed census track= 506
Occupied housing units= 346 (68%) Owner‐occupied housing units= 297
(59%) Renter‐occupied housing units= 49 (10%)
Vacant housing units= 160 (32%)
Total housing units= 4,388 Occupied housing units= 3,319 (75.6%) Owner‐occupied housing units= 2,659
(80.1%) Renter‐occupied housing units= 660
(19.9%) Vacant housing units= 1,069 (24.4%)
Total housing units= 1,418,476 Occupied housing units= 1,261,325 (89%)
Owner‐occupied housing units= 919,769 (73%) Renter‐occupied housing units= 341,556 (27%)
Vacant housing units= 157,151 (11%)
4 Table 1 is mainly for comparison purposes; therefore it only includes sample data for the variables and categories available in the US Census Bureau for Vieques. More socio‐demographic data of the participants such as other categories for the variable “marital status” are available upon request. 5 The income categories are not equivalent because, due to the low family and per capita income in Vieques, we wanted to make finer distinctions than the US Census within our surveyed population.
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RESULTS
The following section summarizes the results of this study and divides them into two main categories: a) the identification and analysis of key stakeholders, and b) the description of knowledge and attitudes regarding wind energy among the Vieques community. We also include a description of how Viequenses perceive community participation processes. The analysis of these results provides the foundation for the last two sections of the report: key topics and issues for the environmental education project, and recommendations for the community participation strategy.
IDENTIFICATION AND ANALYSIS OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS
A number of studies regarding social acceptance of wind energy projects point to the importance of stakeholder identification and analysis efforts for the properly characterize possible supporters and detractors of the proposed project. According to Breukers and Wolsink (2007) the identification of relevant stakeholders must at least account for the following: a) conventional energy sector, b) private wind project developer, c) cooperatives/citizen projects, d) environment/nature/landscape preservation groups, e) anti‐wind groups, f) research institutes, and g) local/regional/national governments and agencies. Our fieldwork suggests that these categories are appropriate for our case study. However, we had to distinguish between several cooperative/citizen groups that developed during the period of civil disobedience and protests, known as “la lucha” that culminated in the Navy´s departure from Vieques. The reason why these groups require special attention is that research suggests that future mobilization in Vieques will most likely rest on the structures created at that time. Table 2 summarizes our findings in terms of the relevant categories and the names of the groups that each encompasses.
The research team conducted in‐depth interviews with key informants from 11 organizations most of which are organized in small cooperatives and focusing on a single policy issue. Some of those policy issues are:
• The need for cultural preservation activities
• Recreation for the youth
• The development of leadership skills among women
• The betterment of health services
• Increase of economic opportunities for the locals
• The improvement of the marine transport system between Vieques and Fajardo.
These issues are representative of the main concerns Viequenses have about the quality of life in their Island. Other salient issues identified during the interview process were the lack of real political representation of Vieques´s interests in state/mainland´s politics, monopoly over basic services such as food and gas and a large amount of snowbirds and speculators that have driven up real‐estate prices beyond the means of many residents, where more than 11 percent of the population is currently unemployed.
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Table 2 Relevant Stakeholders Identified during Fieldwork.
Categories Groups
Conventional energy sector Autoridad de Energía Eléctrica Oficina de Asuntos de Energía
Private wind project developer Aspenall Energies, LLC
Anti‐wind groups Sociedad Ornitológica Puertorriqueña Inc. Coalición Playa Ventana y Punta Berraco
Research institutes Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña UPRM‐Agricultural Extension Service
Trade Associations Vieques Chamber of Commerce Anglo Chamber of Commerce
Cooperatives
Cine Teatro Madre Tierra (Hidropónicos) Ahorro y Crédito de Naguabo Hombre Ferro
Community based organizations
Verde Vieques Alianza por un mejor transporte marítimo Comité pro rescate y desarrollo de Vieques Alianza de mujeres
Government
Municipal Agencies CODEVI Mayor’s Office (Dámaso Serrano) Municipal Police
State Agencies Department of Education Department of Natural Resources Department of the Family Port Authority
Federal Agencies Fish and Wildlife EPA Navy US Post Office
Cultural Organization Fortín el Conde de Mirasol Club Ecuestre
Civic Associations Humane Society
Environmental/Nature Groups Fideicomiso de Vieques Sierra Club
The only organization that apparently exhibits ¨traditional” environmental concerns is the Vieques Trust (Fideicomiso). They have helped City hall in developing a municipal lighting ordinance, to help homeowners convert fixtures, add shields, or switch to lower‐wattage bulbs. They are also involved in education efforts making agreements with several tour companies to take residents from the lit‐up neighborhoods onto the biobay so they can see the effects firsthand. However, as one of our interviewees suggests, that organization is not perceived as acting on the ¨locals¨ behalf. In fact they have been found at odds with the purpose of ¨la lucha¨:
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“About the Vieques Trust… well although it started as a community movement it is now dominated by gringo environmentalists. During ¨la lucha¨ they were even testifying against the navy leaving. They said that the navy was protecting the area´s natural resources.”
Nevertheless, most of our interviewees see the development of renewable energy technology in a positive light. One of them said: “there is fertile ground for the development of renewable energy in Vieques since at least the 1980’s.” Another said: “there is not going to be opposition to a wind farm project in Vieques.” They believe that the development of renewable energy technologies in Vieques will have a positive impact in their quality of life. In fact, many of our interviewees remember previous initiatives and proposals to install windmills in Vieques and Culebra. They also said that “people were saying that windmills were ugly at that time, but now gasoline is so expensive that maybe one of those turbines is enough for all of Vieques.” Even recent land rescue movements are contemplating the installation of domestic solar and/or wind energy technology to lower their community’s living expenses. They even mentioned houses in previously rescued land from the Navy that due to the lack of access to the grid, had installed wind and solar systems. One of our participants also mentioned his willingness to “give electricity for free” to neighbors that wish to connect to his system.
Yet, there are some concerns among the interviewees we need to take notice of. As one of our interviewees said: “energy is also a big issue but in establishing any energy facility we have to think about how the community is going to benefit from the project.” The following list shows a compilation of the seven most common concerns expressed throughout the interviews:
1. What is in it for Vieques?
According to our participants, in a conversation with the developer, that question was answered with a “nothing”. Although the honesty was highly regarded, the interviewee said that if Aspenall is going to “harvest” wind from Vieques, it needs to provide a just compensation to the community. Some of the options mentioned were to provide electricity for the hospital or other critical infrastructure, to share revenues with the community supporting community projects.
2. Why this particular equipment? Concerns were raised in terms of the origin of the turbines to be installed in Vieques. According to one interviewee, the turbines are going to be brought from a wind farm in Holland and installed in Vieques. Some of the question raised were how old are the turbines to be installed? Why old turbines instead of new ones? Why they did not want them in Holland? Is not the technology obsolete after being designed and manufactured years/decades ago? Why not using local craftsmanship in the turbines manufacture?
3. What are the equipment’s characteristics?
Interviewees expressed the need to learn about the equipment characteristics. For example, they asked what the turbines look like. Do they make any noise? What effect does the turbines’ sound or movement have on animals nearby? And is there any wind farm nearby that they can go see? Interviewees suggested the coordination of community forums to discuss the pros and
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cons of wind energy, the use of multimedia presentations so participants can appreciate the turbine’s sound.
4. What would be the project’s location? Why was that location chosen?
Most of the community leaders that participated in this study thought that the best location for any project of this nature was in the already contaminated sites that cannot be used (now or in the near future) for building homes or agriculture. One of the interviewed leaders even suggested installing the pilot project within a proposed archeological park to the south of Vieques to establish an environmental‐cultural link or in the Fish & Wild Life protected area. Their concern about the project’s location related to the difficult access of Viequenses to land. Most of them expressed disappointment with the outcomes of “la lucha” in terms of the local’s land tenure. Viequenses cannot afford to buy land in Vieques anymore due to the intervention of high‐income foreigners in the real state market. Specifically, in relation to the proposed site location recent studies indicate that this is an area where gentrification is at its highest level. This is cost at least in part by skyrocketing prices of the housing stock in the areas of Bravos de Boston, Santa Maria, and Bastimento among others (Wilson and Frazier, 2007). They also claim that the local government is favoring foreigner’s investments over the local’s.
5. Who is the developer?
Concerns were also raised in terms of the developer’s identity. For example, one question asked was if the developer was the same involved in the proposed wind farm project in Guayanilla. Other concerns involved the developer’s nationality. Viequenses, according to most of our interviewees, had have such bad experiences with foreigners (specially north American land speculators) that they feel uneasy about letting one develop and run an energy project that could be run by a cooperative of locals. As the Committee for the Rescue and Development of Vieques (2001) already documented “An economy besieged by foreign interests, a government incapable of alleviating the social‐economic crisis we live, families vulnerable to the forces of a market, controlled by power financial groups, and individuals with much greater buying power, partly describes the environment in which the ‘real estate’ business operates in Vieques.”
6. What is the project’s environmental impact?
There are concerns about the environmental impact of the project in all its phases. At least two of our interviewees pointed to the existence of mangroves in the proposed location and their function as breeding grounds for egrets and other bird species. One echoed the question of a friend by asking if the turbines polluted the environment in any way. He clarified saying: “people do not know very well how those things work… but there is a genuine concern for the local environment.” At the same time, at least one of our participants expressed concerns regarding who is going to be responsible for the already installed equipment if the pilot project fails. He said: “And what if the project fails? What is going to happen with those turbines? That happens all the time in Puerto Rico, the project fails and then we are stuck with those things in there.”
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7. Is this project a means for Vieques’ energy independence from PREPA’s grid?
Our interviews suggest that community leaders would favor renewable energy projects in the current conditions (developed by foreigner investors and/or on a site that they believe inappropriate), if that allows them to decrease their electricity costs or their disconnection from the grid. As one of our participants said: “Well, what I want is to disconnect myself from the grid... to continue connected to it is to continue with what we already have…Why would I want to continue with what we have now? But if I am going to save… I am going to benefit, well… yes.”
Although these results seem to promise community support for the siting of the pilot wind project, community organizations and their leadership appear to be highly fragmented and involved in interpersonal struggle. In fact, our interviewees can recall instances in which “good projects” have been sabotaged by rival community leaders. As of them explains:
“We [community leaders] have failed Vieques because after la lucha we haven’t continued fighting for the important stuff. Here we need recycling projects, if the electricity fails in Naguabo here we don’t have it either, if the water plant in Rio Blanco fails here we are left without water… We left the movement die after the Navy left. After that, we have focused on hurting each other. The movie theater for example… Here we had a proposal for a commercial movie theater. And I said perfect. But then a cooperative that deals with cinema and arts opposed the project because that was their thing… to show movies.”
This rivalry does not necessarily respond to conceptual differences in their vision of the future but in their differences in what they perceive as the right way to achieve it. One of the participants explains:
“I do more with than with confrontation. The problem is that the same leaders are already criticizing me for that. One of them is always talking bad behind my back. He used to the TV cameras. But without the cameras I already got land for the people of Vieques. If they are not involved in the project they say it is not good. We sort of have a love hate relationship.”
Unfortunately, there is the potential for it to become worse unless communication stays open and actually gets better. The wind energy project needs to keep this in mind when designing communication strategies early in the planning process.
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DESCRIPTION OF KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES REGARDING WIND ENERGY AMONG THE
SURVEYED COMMUNITIES.
As presented in the methodology section, the research team conducted a survey with 157 participants, all residents of the area right next to the proposed location of the pilot wind project. While recognition of the concept “renewable energy” was low among participants, recognition levels increased substantially when different types of renewable energy technologies were presented to them separately. As Graph 1 shows solar energy was the technology most recognized, as 94.8% of participants selected it as the one
they had heard about before. Wind followed closely. It was recognized by 83.8% of participants.
Comments made during survey administration, showed a number of personal experiences with solar panels. In fact, some participants said that they used solar technology, in its both variants (solar thermal and photovoltaic), when the electric system was not available in their
area. That was not the case with wind energy. Although 58% of our participants said having seen a wind farm, and some even commented that they knew somebody that had domestic windmills, only 28 have visited one, and 11 said that they lived near one. However, as Graph 2 suggests, the amount of participants that answered that they know the technology well or very well is very similar to the knowledge they expressed about solar energy. Note that the participants were allowed to select more than one renewable. Therefore, the bars in the graphs showed represent the percentage of participants that selected each renewable separately.
In terms of the perception of risk associated to each of the renewable technologies included in this study, solar energy was the technology perceived as safest by survey participants. Fifty nine percent
Graph 2: How well do you know…
05101520253035404550
Solar Wind Biofuels Hydrolic Nuclear
Not so well
Well
Very well
Graph 2: How well do you know…
05101520253035404550
Solar Wind Biofuels Hydrolic Nuclear
Not so well
Well
Very well
94.883.8
65.658.4 56.5
34.4 31.8
16.2
0102030405060708090100
Graph 1 : Recognition of Renewables
94.883.8
65.658.4 56.5
34.4 31.8
16.2
0102030405060708090100
Graph 1 : Recognition of Renewables
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(59%) of them selected it as the safest of all the technologies presented to them. Wind was selected second with 24% (please see Graph 3). The perception of safety associated to solar and wind is much higher than the one associated to any other renewable energy. Also, when asked which energy technology they perceived as dangerous, only 12.8% selected wind and solar respectively. Interestingly, nuclear energy (which is not even a renewable energy source‐technology but was included in the study) was selected as dangerous by 82.54% of the surveyed residents. This positive attitude and low perception of risk associated to wind energy technology contrasts with recent claims of a community group opposing the siting of a wind farm in southern Puerto Rico that portrays wind turbines as prone to accidents and other dangers.
The respondents´ positive perception about solar and wind energy technologies were confirmed when they also selected them as the most environmentally friendly. Fifty one percent of the participants selected solar energy as the most environmentally friendly. Wind followed with 32% over all other selections (see Graph 4). Surprisingly, the common association between ¨green¨ or ¨environmentally friendly technologies¨ and high energy production costs, was not found among our participants. In fact, 52% identified solar energy as the one that produces cheaper electricity (see Graph 5). Thirty percent selected wind energy instead. Then we averaged the participant’s responses to the previews questions to compute a “Social Acceptance Index” (SAI) for each technology included in this
study. The result was a two digit number between zero (0) meaning “no social acceptance” and fifteen (15) meaning “total social acceptance” considering the variables included. As Table 3 suggests6, wind energy has the second highest average (7.19, with a standard deviation of 3.68) among all the technologies included, second only to solar.
6 Table 3 includes the SAI for four of the technologies studied, solar, wind, biofuels, and nuclear. These four represent the two extremes in social acceptance. Solar and wind obtained the two highest averages and biofuels and nuclear obtained the two lowest.
54%
12%
8%
8%
8%NuclearBiofuelsSolarWindWavesHydrolicGeothermalHydrogen
Graph 4: Which Technology is More Dangerous
54%
12%
8%
8%
8%NuclearBiofuelsSolarWindWavesHydrolicGeothermalHydrogen
Graph 4: Which Technology is More Dangerous
59%24%
4%Solar
Wind
Waves
Biofuels
Hydrolic
Nuclear
Hydrogen
Geothermal
Graph 3: Which Technology is Safer?
59%24%
4%Solar
Wind
Waves
Biofuels
Hydrolic
Nuclear
Hydrogen
Geothermal
Graph 3: Which Technology is Safer?
25
61.757
62
38.3
46.5 44.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
In Puerto Rico In Vieques In Neighborhood
Solar
Wind
Biofuels
Hydrolic
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Waves
Graph 6: Which Technology is Viable for Implementation
61.757
62
38.3
46.5 44.4
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
In Puerto Rico In Vieques In Neighborhood
Solar
Wind
Biofuels
Hydrolic
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Waves
Graph 6: Which Technology is Viable for Implementation
Given the apparent positive attitudes and social acceptance towards solar and wind energy it is not surprising that these two were selected as the most viable for implementation in Puerto Rico, in Vieques and in their neighborhoods as well (see Graph 6). What is particularly important for this case is that wind energy projects appear to be very viable near their homes as opposed to other technologies and energy sources such as hydrogen and biofuels.
Although these results seem highly positive for the siting of a wind farm in the selected community, these results have to be contextualized by many of the factors identified by the literature on social acceptance of renewable technologies. One of those factors is the Viequenses definitions of their “place”. Only 8.2% mentioned Vieques environment as what they enjoyed the most. This could be misconstrued as a lack of appreciation of Vieques environmental quality among our participants. However, this last figure is congruent with recent literature that calls into question the meaning or the construction of nature by Vieques residents after the Navy’s departure and their everlasting problem of land contamination (Hayes‐Conroy, 2005). What the Viequenses enjoyed the most about their
community was the visual landscape and the peacefulness of the area. Fifty nine percent (58.9%) of the respondents pointed to the peacefulness as what they enjoyed the most by living in the Island and 22.9% mentioned their visual landscape as their favorite feature of Vieques.
53%30%
6%
Solar
Wind
Hydrolic
Biofuels
Waves
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Graph 5: Which Technology Produces Cheaper Electricity
53%30%
6%
Solar
Wind
Hydrolic
Biofuels
Waves
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Graph 5: Which Technology Produces Cheaper Electricity
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TABLE 3 SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE INDEX COMPUTED FOR FOUR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
Technology N Min. value observed
Max. value observed
Mean Std. Deviation
Solar 119 7 14 10.62 1.57
Wind 110 1 13 7.19 3.68
Biofuels 78 1 8 3 1.24
Nuclear 122 0 3 .45 .55
At the beginning of this report we singled out visual landscape and noise issues as the main reason to oppose the siting of a wind energy facility. The Vieques landscape and the pernicious effects Navy activities had on it over the years has already been a well documented issue. Professor José Seguinot Barbosa, Director of the Geography Department of the University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras, observed that "the eastern tip of the island (where the Navy carried out its bombing practice) constitute[d] a region with more craters per kilometer that the moon" (Seguinot, 1989). Therefore, both relatively high percentages for visual landscape or peacefulness are significant as they might determine the community acceptance for the pilot wind power project (see Figure 5 for a picture of the landscape to be affected by the siting of the proposed pilot project).
With regards to noise being a significant factor identified by the literature, the respondents’ propensity to mention peacefulness and tranquility as one of their most cherished quality of life characteristic in Vieques also deserves attention. The issue noise has been included in Vieques local ordinances since the early 2000’s. On January 15 and 19, 2001, President Clinton issued two directives concerning Vieques. The first directed the Department of Health and Human Services to examine a new study showing that residents of Vieques suffer from a high incidence of vibroacoustic disease, an ailment affecting the heart and other internal organs. The second directed DOD to find a long‐term alternative to live‐fire training on Vieques, on the grounds that voters were likely to vote in the November 2001 referendum to permanently end training operations. Both of these initiatives are directly correlated with Viequense’s enduring the negative impacts of noise. Also,
FIGURE 5 PICTURE OF THE PROPOSED LOCATION
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Governor Sila Maria Calderon introduced the Noise Prohibition Act in April 18th of 2001, and the Puerto Rican Legislature passed it on April 23rd of the same year. In April 24, Puerto Rico filed a federal lawsuit to halt Navy exercises, arguing that the Navy¹s training activities would threaten public health and violate both the new noise‐restriction law and the 1972 federal Noise Control Act. It is clear that any activity including the establishment of this project that brings with it the possibility of violating Viequenses’ perceived peacefulness and tranquility has the potential of bringing back this controversial issue and should be kept in mind when designing a communication strategy for this project.
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COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS AND ATTITUDES TOWARDS PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THE SITING
PROCESS.
In order to provide a foundation for our recommended community participation strategy, we included in the questionnaire items that are relevant to the process of public participation. Our participants’ responses seem to be in line with the literature discussed at the beginning of this report. As shown in Graph 7 the majority of them (44%) would like to be informed of the plan for the establishment of a renewable energy facility in their neighborhood before the location site has been decided upon. Also, a total of 55% would like to be informed before the developer even
applies for the permits. The interviewers asked participants that chose the category of “other phase in the process” (23%) to specify when they would like to be informed. Most of them answered that they would like to be informed of the proposal throughout the whole process. The preferred medium of communication, as Graph 8 shows, was face‐to‐face communication (42%) followed by mail (28%).
The same happened when selecting the phase of the process in which respondents would like to participate. Most of our respondents
wanted to be engaged early in the decision making process. Forty percent (40%) of them prefer to participate before the location for the project is selected, and seventeen percent (17%) more before the developer applies for the permits (See Graph 9). Thirteen percent (13%) expresses a preference for being involved before approval of the permits and 16% before the construction of the project starts. As in previous questions, the 11% that chose the
Graph 7: Desired Phase for Being Informed
44 11 6 15 23
0 25 50 75 100
Process
Before deciding location
Before applying for permits
Before agencies approve permits
Before construction starts
Other
Graph 7: Desired Phase for Being Informed
44 11 6 15 23
0 25 50 75 100
Process
Before deciding location
Before applying for permits
Before agencies approve permits
Before construction starts
Other
42%
28%
15%
11%4%
In personMail
OtherTelephone
Graph 8: Preferred Medium of Communication
42%
28%
15%
11%4%
In personMail
OtherTelephone
Graph 8: Preferred Medium of Communication
Graph 9: Desired Phase for Participation
40 17 13 16 11 4
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Process
Before selecting location
Before applying for permits
Before approval
Before construction
Other
No need
Graph 9: Desired Phase for Participation
40 17 13 16 11 4
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Process
Before selecting location
Before applying for permits
Before approval
Before construction
Other
No need
29
alternative “other phase” clarified that they wanted to be involved throughout the whole process.
At the same time, as Graph 10 suggests, when asked who was responsible for informing them of the proposed project, participants chose the developer first (18%), the Mayor of Vieques and the Municipal Government next (17% each), the State Government in third place (16%), then a community group (15%) and finally the proponent agency. Although there is
no clear consensus in terms of who is responsible for delivering the information to the community, our results show that most participants would like to be informed either in person (42%) or through the mail (28%). Our results show that most respondents prefer to participate in a public hearing (almost 40%) or in a community meeting (almost 30%) (See Graph 11). It can be argued that these responses are conditioned by the current model of public participation, and might not reflect their “real” preferences in terms of what the optimal mode of participation should be.
The results also show that the most favored place for conducting public hearings and/or community meetings is somewhere in the community such as a community center (34%) and the city hall (23%). Twenty three percent (23%) of our participants chose the “other” category. However, most of them specify that their place of preference was the Multiple Uses Center and/or the plaza in downtown Isabel II. In general, keeping
activities close to home seems to be the most appropriate course of action (see Graph 12). At the same time, when asked for the time and day that provides for a better chance to participate, our respondents have a preference for week day evenings (30.4%) and weekend evenings (21.7%) (See Graph 13). When asked about the preferred conditions for participation in public hearings and/or community meetings, most of our respondents expressed a need for
Graph 10: Who is Responsible for Informing theCommunity?
18%
17%
17%16%
15%
13%4%
DeveloperThe MayorMunicipal Gov.State Gov.Community GroupProponent AgencyOther
Graph 10: Who is Responsible for Informing theCommunity?
18%
17%
17%16%
15%
13%4%
DeveloperThe MayorMunicipal Gov.State Gov.Community GroupProponent AgencyOther
Graph 11: Preferred Participation Mode
39.9
29.7
13.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Percentages
Public hearing
Comm. meeting
Home
Referendum
Hired expert
Other
Representative
Graph 11: Preferred Participation Mode
39.9
29.7
13.5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
Percentages
Public hearing
Comm. meeting
Home
Referendum
Hired expert
Other
Representative
Graph 12: Preferred Participation Place
34%
23%
23%
14%
6%
Community
City Hall
Other
Site
Hotel
Graph 12: Preferred Participation Place
34%
23%
23%
14%
6%
Community
City Hall
Other
Site
Hotel
30
relevant documents (27%) and independents experts (25%) to be available to assist them during the decision making process. Access to free transportation (17%) and being able to receive the meeting agenda in advance (17%) were not far behind (see Graph 14).
During our interviews we also asked for their perception of what a just compensation would be for the establishment of a “Locally Unwanted Land Use” in their neighborhood. The term LULU is usually attributed to facilities that impact the local environment negatively. Plenty of research has
been done about the use of community compensation schemes in the siting of these facilities. However, the term LULU is seldom used to describe a renewable energy facility. Therefore, research on compensation schemes for renewable energy facilities is rare. Our results suggest that the studied community perceive a discount in the electricity bill as a just compensation for hosting the pilot project even against their will. As Graph 15 shows, 70.6% chose that alternative followed by distributing the generated electricity towards local use (46.5%). The creation and
development of environmental education programs for local schools, which is one of the favorite compensation schemes for politicians and public relations offices, came in third place.
Finally, we also asked the participants to agree or disagree with Lickert scaled statements related to conceptual aspects of public participation schemes. Overall, Table 4 suggests that our participants want to be involved in the decision‐making process, mainly in the design and planning stages of the project. They would like to evaluate its environmental and economic impacts. Furthermore, although most of them would
Graph 13: Preferred Time for a Public Hearing or Meeting
30.4
21.7
14.8
13
9.6
0 10 20 30 40
Percentages
Mon ‐ Frid (day)
OtherWkend (day)Wkend (night)
Mon ‐ Frid (night)
Graph 13: Preferred Time for a Public Hearing or Meeting
30.4
21.7
14.8
13
9.6
0 10 20 30 40
Percentages
Mon ‐ Frid (day)
OtherWkend (day)Wkend (night)
Mon ‐ Frid (night)
27%
25%17%
17%
9%Access to documentsAccess to experts
Transportation
Agenda
Babysitting
Payment
Graph 14: Conditions to Enhance Participation
27%
25%17%
17%
9%Access to documentsAccess to experts
Transportation
Agenda
Babysitting
Payment
Graph 14: Conditions to Enhance Participation
72.6
46.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Percentages
Discount in AEE bill
Electricity for local use
Env Educ in local schoolsDecontamination
Env educ for visitors
Windmills as tourism
Electricity for hotel useOther
None
Graph 15: Perception of Just Compensation72.6
46.5
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Percentages
Discount in AEE bill
Electricity for local use
Env Educ in local schoolsDecontamination
Env educ for visitors
Windmills as tourism
Electricity for hotel useOther
None
Graph 15: Perception of Just Compensation
31
also like to be involved in the evaluation of the facility, and would like the community to receive some of the financial profits for community projects, the majority would not want to receive any of the financial profits individually.
TABLE 4 SUBJECTS PERCEPTION ON COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
The community’s opinion should be taken into account when… % AGREE
designing the project 95.5%
when approving or disapproving the project 86.2%
when implementing the project 89.2%
when deciding where to site the facility 89.8%
The community should have the last word in the decision 79.6%
The most important criteria when making the decision should be… % AGREE
environmental impact 94.2%
economic impact 89.5%
Community members should … % AGREE
be part of the projects administration 82.2%
receive financial profits from the project individually 45.7%
receive financial profits from the project as a group 63.6%
be a part of the project’s evaluation 94.2%
32
KEY ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION.
Based on the literature review and the data previously discussed ITEAS points to Aspenall’s attention the need for a combined public participation and environmental education effort that takes into consideration the following elements.
1. As suggested in previous sections, the overall sentiments of the sampled populations were generally positive towards wind energy. Despite specific concerns with environmental impacts, as well as community participation in the project, and perceived benefits to the community, interviewees see the development of renewable energy as a beneficial alternative to the current energy situation. However, study after study demonstrates a wide gap between positive attitudes towards renewable energy (and even wind energy in general) and social acceptance of the implementation of a particular project on a particular site. As such, caution in the interpretation of these results is suggested.
2. Community opposition to the establishment of the wind farm pilot project might come from contextual factors specific to Vieques rather than to lack of knowledge about wind energy technologies. As noted earlier in this report, the literature shows that visual landscape issues are the main reason to oppose the siting of a wind energy facility. Our survey data demonstrate that visual landscape and peacefulness are what the Viequense community surrounding the proposed site enjoys the most. This leads us to believe that community opposition, if any, might come as a consequence of concerns with landscape and environmental changes brought by the project or lack of sensitivity to that fact during the early stages of project development.
3. Viequenses are more concerned with socio‐economic‐political issues related to their daily
quality of life: the lack of real political representation of Vieques´s interests in state/mainland´s politics, monopoly over basic services such as food and gas, and land speculators driving up real‐estate prices, than with traditional environmental issues such as contamination and biodiversity. Traditionally, the benefits of wind energy are hailed by mainstream environmentalist as a possible solution to environmental problems such as climate change. Our survey suggests that Viequenses construct issues related to the development of wind energy in Vieques from an environmental justice perspective that emphasizes equity considerations and fairness in the decision‐making process related to projects such as this one. Environmental education should focus on clearly making the connection between energy generation and societal issues Viequenses care about the most.
4. A high degree of involvement in the early stages of planning and design is recommended.
Our results point to the importance of process and outcomes dimensions of the project
33
even over the more technical aspects. By “process” we mean who develops and runs the project, who is involved, and who influences the decisions made. By “outcome” we refer to how the positive and negative products of the project are distributed both socially and geographically. In other words, outcome relates to the question of who the project is for.
5. The developer and the Mayor of Vieques are perceived as responsible for informing the
community. Communication is preferred to be in person or through the mail. Public hearings and community meetings in community centers during the evenings seem to be the preferred channel for participation. A need was expressed for receiving the meeting agenda in advance and access to relevant documents and independents experts to enhance public participation.
6. There was a low recognition of the term “renewable energy”. However, recognition of solar
and wind technologies was high. Therefore, some effort should be invested into socializing the community members into the scientific and technical lingo of renewable energy. At the same time, there are positive attitudes towards wind energy, which is perceived as being one of the safer, most environmentally friendly and most viable for implementation of all alternative energy technologies. In fact, some of the main concerns/questions expressed by community leaders regarding the proposed wind project were not related to lack knowledge on wind energy but to concrete aspects of the project itself. Both environmental education participatory initiatives should focus on answering the questions posed by the participants.
7. Cooperative/citizen groups are essential stakeholders. These organizations have developed
a high level of sophistication both in terms of their theoretical grounding and strategies for action and should be incorporated into any environmental education and participation efforts. In fact, a direct partnership with some of these groups should be explored. A word of caution is that their leadership appears to be highly fragmented and involved in interpersonal struggle. The post‐“lucha” period has left a fragmented terrain with respects to community organizations. While the Navy’s presence served as a galvanizing force between groups that arguably had complementary yet distinct objectives, today’s Vieques suffers from the lack of a unified vision of what Vieques should be. With varying degrees of eloquence several community leaders demonstrated reservations for the styles, methods and actions of other community leaders. Also, the level of trust on outside organizations either public or private is low. This lack of trust reflects doubts no only in the capacity of outsiders to look for the wellbeing of Viequenses, but also on their manipulation of Vieques’s issues for their own benefit.
8. Despite of having a lot of Anglo’s organizations having formed in the island and at least anecdotal positive attitudes towards renewable energy in the island we recommend caution in underestimating how that support will actually express itself during the design and planning stages of the project. There is substantial segregation between Anglo and
34
Viequense groups on their daily lives, and issues of language, cultural differences, etc, have been known to amplify during joint activities.
9. We highlight the importance of segmentation when determining the design of a social
acceptance campaign for this project. Studies suggest that this type of a population, generally in agreement with the development of wind energy yet showing concerns throughout a wide range of perceived issues, is perhaps the most vulnerable of groups when it comes to changing their attitudes towards the negative if participation and process issues are not well planned. While the design of such an effort falls outside of the scope of this study, ITEAS strongly suggests the integration of the community’s concerns and perceptions when designing a social acceptance campaign. One way to deal proactively with such a well documented trend in the case of Vieques would be to utilize a participatory or collaborative planning approach. This approach serves the dual purpose of a strong educational tool and at the same time a booster for effective public participation.
35
RELEVANT LITERATURE Acevedo Vila, A. (2001) “Insight on the News”, Symposium ‐ Navy training on Vieques ‐ Panel Discussion
Breukers, Sylvia and Maarten Wolsink (2007) “Wind Power Implementation in Changing Institutional Landscapes: An International Comparison”. Energy Policy 35. Pp 2737‐2750.
Bullard, R. (2001) “Anatomy of the Environmental Racism and the Environmental Movement” In The Environment and Society, edited by R. S. Frey. Allyn and Bacon. Boston, USA.
Hughes‐McDermott, M. C. Chess, M. Pérez‐Lugo, K. K. Pflugh, E. Bocheneck, J. Burger. (2003) “Communicating a Complex Message to the Population Most at Risk: An Outreach Strategy for Fish Consumption Advisories.” Applied Environmental Education and Communication, 2:39‐48.
Laurian, L. (2003) “A prerequisite for participation: Environmental knowledge and what residents know about local toxic sites.” Journal of Planning Education and Research, 22, 257‐269.
Lungren, R. y A. Mcmakin (2004) Risk Communication: A Handbook for Communicating Environmental, Safety and Health Risks. 3rd. Ed. Battelle Press, Columbus, Ohio.
O'Rourke Ronald Specialist in National Defense Foreign Affairs (2001) Vieques, Puerto Rico Naval Training Range: Background and Issues for Congress. Congressional Research Service Report for Congress. Defense, and Trade Division, Congressional Research Service, The Library of Congress Updated December 17, 2001.
Pasqualetti, M. J. (2000) Morality, Space, and the power of wind energy landscapes. Geographical Review, vol. 90. Pp. 81‐394.
Perez‐Lugo, M, Maria Victoria Badillo, Jorge Rivera Santos and Carmen Bellido (2006) “Development and Partial Implementation of an Education and Awareness Program for the Comprehensive Integrated Management Plan for the Mayagüez Bay Watershed Project.” Final Report submitted to the Comprehensive Integrated Management Plan for the Mayaguez Bay Watershed Project.
Rabin Siegal, R. and Deborah B. Santana (November 13, 2007) “Carta al Gerente del Proyecto U.S.E.P.A, Daniel Rodríguez”. Comité Pro Rescate y Desarrollo de Vieques.
Seguinot Barbosa, J. (1989) "Vieques, the Ecology of an Island Under Siege"
Smith‐Korfmacher, K. (2001) “The politics of participation in watershed modeling.” Environmental Management, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 161‐176.
“Vieques vs. the U.S. Navy ‐ update on movement to stop the Navy bombing on Vieques Island” Christian Century, August 11, 1999 by Paul Jeffrey
Webler, T., S. Tuler, and R. Krueger. (2001) “What is a good public participation process? Five perspectives from the public.” Environmental Management, Vol. 27, No. 2, pp. 435‐450.
Wolsink, M. (2007) Planning of renewable schemes: deliberative and fair decision‐making on landscape instead of reproachful accusations of non‐cooperation. Energy policy, 35. Pp. 2692‐2704.
36
Wilson, Shelley and Abby Frazier (2007) “Gentrification in Vieques.” Power point presentation as part of the course … downloaded from www.uvm.edu/~jdavis6/gentrification/FinalGentrifPP.ppt.
Appendix A: Interview Protocol
Conocimiento
Conocimiento general sobre energía eólica ‐
Que conlleva el establecimiento de un parque eólico en su fase de construcción, desarrollo y mantenimiento
Sabe de experiencias con parques eólicos en otras partes de PR y del mundo,
Que impactos positivos y negativos tienen los parques eólicos: económico, ambiental, visual escénico
¿Como funciona un molino de viento?
Como se ve un molino de viento
Tamaño de los molinos
Beneficios de los molinos sobre otras fuentes alternas de energía
Aspectos negativos de los molinos sobre otras fuentes alternas de energía
Conocimiento sobre aspectos específicos del proyecto ‐
Conoce sobre el plan de ubicar un parque eólico en Vieques?
Sabe cual es el lugar propuesto para la ubicación del proyecto
¿Sabe cuando se comenzara la construcción?
¿Sabe quien es el proponente del proyecto?
¿Sabe cual va a ser la magnitud del proyecto? Cuantos molinos son? Que tamaño tienen?
¿Sabe que se va a hacer con la energía producida en ese parque?
¿Sabe como identificaron ese lugar como el ideal para poner el parque?
Conocimiento sobre el proceso de toma de decisiones ‐
¿Cuales son los actores envueltos en la decisión de ubicar el proyecto eólico en Vieques? Y en el lugar propuesto?
¿Quien toma la decisión final?
37
¿Cuales son los pasos a seguir para llegar a esa decisión?
¿Quien es responsable si el proyecto fracasa?
¿Si usted no estuviera de acuerdo con el proyecto propuesto, sabe que tiene que hacer para que se le tome en cuenta?
¿Conocimiento sobre uso de terrenos ‐
¿Existe un plan de ordenamiento territorial en Vieques?
¿Quien usa (usaba) los terrenos en los que se va a localizar? Para que?
¿Quien usa (usaba) los terrenos aledaños? Para que?
¿Cuan congruente es el parque con la zonificación actual del terreno?
Percepciones/actitudes hacia el proyecto
Necesidades de Vieques –
¿Cuales son los problemas principales que aquejan a Vieques?
¿Cuan congruente es el parque con las necesidades de Vieques?
Actitudes hacia el servicio eléctrico –
¿Como es el servicio eléctrico en Vieques?
¿Como es la relación de la comunidad/municipio con la AEE?
¿Cuan costoso es el servicio eléctrico?
¿Como el parque eólico puede mejorar/empeorar la situación “eléctrica” de Vieques?
Viabilidad del Proyecto ‐
¿En su opinión, son los molinos la mejor alternativa para generar energía renovable en Puerto Rico? ¿Y en Vieques?
Sentimientos de equidad y/o justicia ‐
¿Quien se beneficia del proyecto?
¿Que se va a hacer con la energía producida?
¿Que beneficios trae este proyecto a la comunidad? Y a Vieques? Y a Puerto Rico?
¿Quien paga por el proyecto?
38
¿Que impactos negativos trae el proyecto a la comunidad? Y a Vieques? Y a Puerto Rico?
¿En su opinión, cual seria el mejor lugar para ubicar un parque eólico en Puerto Rico? Y en Vieques? ¿Por que?
Sentimientos de apoderamiento comunitario ‐
¿A quien se le debe consultar en Vieques antes de aprobar el proyecto?
¿Quien debería estar envuelto en el proceso de decidir si aprobar o rechazar el proyecto?
¿Que necesita usted para participar de ese proceso?
¿Confianza en las instituciones
¿Cuan representado esta Vieques en la política de Puerto Rico?
¿Cuan confiado esta en la capacidad del gobierno para regular el funcionamiento del proyecto?
¿Cuan confiado esta en la sinceridad del proponente sobre sus intenciones?
¿Cuan confiado esta en la capacidad del proponente para cumplir con su propuesta?
Percepción de riesgo
¿En donde se encuentra físicamente (donde vive, trabaja, incurre en actividades recreativas) usted con relación al parque propuesto?
¿Cuan confiado esta en la capacidad del gobierno para defender sus intereses si algo sale mal?
¿En caso de un accidente/emergencia/desastre, cuan confiado esta usted de la capacidad del gobierno para responder?
39
APPENDIX B: SURVEY INSTRUMENT
Proyecto piloto sobre conocimiento, percepción y actitudes relacionadas a la energía eólica en Vieques, PR
¡Saludos! Somos estudiantes/profesores de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez y trabajamos para el Instituto Tropical de Energía, Ambiente y Sociedad, también conocido como ITEAS. Estamos realizando un estudio piloto sobre el conocimiento, percepción y actitudes de la comunidad Viequense sobre energía renovable. Le pedimos que nos regale aproximadamente 20 minutos de su tiempo y nos permita entrevistarlo/a. Su participación es completamente voluntaria y confidencia. De sentirse incomodo/a en algún momento siéntase en la libertad de interrumpir la entrevista y/o rehusarse a contestar alguna de las preguntas. [ENTREGARLE HOJA DE CONSENTIMIENTO INFORMADO] Se le esta entregando una carta firmada por los investigadores principales del proyecto explicándole en detalle los pormenores del proyecto. También incluye la información completa de ITEAS y de los investigadores principales. Si tiene cualquier duda o pregunta puede comunicarse a cualquiera de las direcciones electrónicas, teléfonos o direcciones postales provistas. Acepta participar en el estudio? [SI DICE QUE SI, SIGA ADELANTE. SI DICE QUE NO DELE LAS GRACIAS Y SIGA A LA PROXIMA RESIDENCIA].
A. Primero, queremos saber su opinión sobre la energía renovable.
1. Ha escuchado usted el termino “energía renovable”? ____ (1) si ____ (2) no [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #3]
2. [SI CONTESTO QUE SI A LA PREGUNTA ANTERIOR] ¿Qué entiende usted por “energía renovable”?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. A continuación le voy a leer una lista de “fuentes de energía renovable”. Por favor indíqueme cual de las siguientes reconoce.
____ Solar (Fotovoltaica y/o termal) ____ Geotermal
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Hidrogeno
____ Biocombustible [COMO EL ETANOL Y EL BIODIESEL]
____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) ____ Conoce alguna otra fuente de energía renovable que no haya mencionado? Cual? ______________________________________
____ Nuclear
40
4. Ahora, me puede decir cuan bien usted conoce la… [NOMBRAR LAS FUENTES DE ENERGIA QUE EL PARTICIPANTE MENCIONO EN LA PREGUNTA ANTERIOR]
5. De las fuentes de energía mencionadas anteriormente ¿cual cree usted que es la mas segura?
6. ¿Cual de las fuentes alternas de energía mencionadas cree usted que es la mas peligrosa?
FUENTE LA CONOZCO MUY BIEN
LA CONOZCO REGULAR
LA CONOZCO MUY POCO
Solar (Fotovoltaica y/o termal) 3 2 1
Eolica (viento) 3 2 1
Biocombustible 3 2 1
Hidráulica (agua) 3 2 1
Nuclear 3 2 1
Geotermal 3 2 1
Hidrogeno 3 2 1
Mareomotriz (olas del mar) 3 2 1
Otra: 3 2 1
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
41
7. ¿Cuál de las fuentes alternas de energía mencionadas cree usted que es la mas amistosa hacia el medio ambiente?
8. ¿Cual de esa fuentes alternas de energía mencionadas en la que produce electricidad mas barata?
9. En su opinión, ¿Cual de las fuentes alternas de energía mencionadas seria más viable para
implementar en Puerto Rico?
10. En su opinión, ¿Cual de las fuentes alternas de energía mencionadas seria más viable para implementar en Vieques?
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) Otra:______________________________
____ Nuclear
42
11. ¿Si le dieran a escoger de entre las fuentes de energía mencionadas, cual escogería para implementar en su barrio?
12. Si se fuese a establecer una facilidad de energía renovable en su barrio, cuando a usted le gustaría ser informado? [LEA LAS ALTERNATIVAS]
____ (1) antes de que se decida su localización ____ (2) antes de pedir los permisos
____ (3) antes de que las agencias otorguen los permisos ____ (4) antes de que comience la construcción ____ (5) Otra fase: _______________________________________________ ____ (6) no necesito ser informado [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #15]
13. Como le gustaría a usted ser informado?
____ (1) en persona ____ (2) por teléfono
____ (3) por correo ____ (4) por email (correo electrónico) ____ (5) Otra: _____________________________________________________
14. Quien entiende usted es responsable por informarle del plan? ____ (1) el desarrollador/a ____ (2) la agencia proponente ____ (3) el alcalde/esa ____ (4) el gobierno municipal ____ (5) un grupo ambientalista o comunitario ____ (6) el gobierno estatal ____ (7) Otro: _____________________________________________________ 15. Si se fuese a establecer una facilidad de energía renovable en su barrio, en que parte del proceso entiende usted que es más importante expresar su opinión?
____ (1) antes de que se decida su localización ____ (2) antes de pedir los permisos
____ (3) antes de que las agencias otorguen los permisos ____ (4) antes de que comience la construcción ____ (5) Otra fase: _______________________________________________ ____ (6) no necesito expresar mi opinión [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20]
____ Solar Fotovoltaica y/o termal ____ Hidrogeno
____ Eolica (viento) ____ Geotermal
____ Biocombustible ____ Mareomotriz (olas del mar)
____ Hidráulica (agua) ____ otra: _________________________
____ Nuclear
43
B. A continuación le voy a leer una serie de aseveraciones y alternativas. Por favor indíqueme las alternativas que mejor describan su opinión. 16. De qué manera prefiere usted expresar su opinión sobre el establecimiento de una facilidad de
energía renovable en su barrio? [LEA LAS ALTERNATIVAS] ____ (1) en una vista publica ____ (2) que un funcionario del gobierno venga a mi casa a preguntarme su opinión
[PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20] ____ (3) votando en un referéndum [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20] ____ (4) en una reunión comunitaria ____ (5) escoger un representante de la comunidad que exprese su opinión ante los foros correspondientes [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20] ____ (6) que mi comunidad contrate un experto independiente para que exprese su opinión neutral sobre el proyecto [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20] ____ (7) De otra forma: _____________________________________________ [PASE A
LA PREGUNTA #20] ____ (8) Ninguna de las anteriores. [PASE A LA PREGUNTA #20]
17. Si usted prefiere participar personalmente en vistas publicas y/o reuniones, donde cree usted que seria mejor llevarlas a cabo? ____ En el lugar donde se propone establecer la facilidad de energía renovable
____ En la comunidad misma ____ en la alcaldía de Vieques ____ En San Juan ____ un hotel o centro de convenciones ____ Prefiero otro lugar. Cual? __________________________________
18. Cuando usted preferiría que se llevaran a cabo estas reuniones o vistas publicas? ____ De lunes a viernes por el dia ____ De lunes a viernes por la noche ____ Durante el fin de semana por el dia ____ Durante fin de semana por la noche ____ Prefiero otro horario. Cual? _______________________________________
19. A continuación se presentan una serie de factores que se han identificado en otros lugares como facilitadores de la participación comunitaria. Por favor díganos cual o cuales de los siguientes cree usted que facilitaría su participación en reuniones y/o vistas públicas. [MARQUE TODAS LAS QUE APLIQUEN]
____ Cuido de niños/as ____ que se le entregue copia de lo que se va a discutir en la vista y/o reunión con anticipación
____ transportación gratuita ____ acceso a expertos independientes que evalúen los documentos y la información sobre el proyecto
____ acceso a documentos e información sobre el proyecto con anticipación
____ que le paguen por asistir
____ otra _________________________________
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20. Ahora, le voy a leer unas aseveraciones y por favor dígame si esta totalmente de acuerdo, parcialmente de acuerdo, en desacuerdo, o totalmente en desacuerdo con cada una de ellas. ASEVERACION TOTALMENTE
DE ACUERDO PARCIALMENTE DE ACUERDO
EN DESACUERDO
TOTALMENTE EN
DESACUERDO a. La opinión de la comunidad debería ser tomada en cuenta al diseñar el proyecto
3 2 1 0
b. La opinión de la comunidad debería ser tomada en cuenta al decidir si se aprueba el proyecto o no
3 2 1 0
c. La opinión de la comunidad debería ser tomada en cuenta al decidir la forma en que se implementa el proyecto
3 2 1 0
d. La opinión de la comunidad debería ser tomada en cuenta al decidir donde se ubica el proyecto
3 2 1 0
e. La comunidad debería tener la ultima palabra en la decisión
3 2 1 0
f. el impacto ambiental debería ser el criterio más importante en la decisión.
3 2 1 0
g. el impacto económico del proyecto debería ser el criterio más importante en la decisión.
3 2 1 0
h. Miembros de la comunidad deberían ser parte de la administración del proyecto
3 2 1 0
i. Los vecinos de esta comunidad deberían recibir individualmente parte de las ganancias del proyecto
3 2 1 0
h. La comunidad como grupo debería recibir parte de las ganancias del proyecto
3 2 1 0
i. Miembros de la comunidad deberían ser parte de la evaluación del proyecto
3 2 1 0
21. En caso de que se decida instalar la facilidad en su barrio aun en contra de sus deseos o de otros miembros de la comunidad, cual cree usted que seria una compensación justa para usted y sus vecinos? [ESPERE A QUE EL PARTICIPANTE SUGIERA Y LUEGO LEA LAS ALTERNATIVAS)
____ (1) que la electricidad generada sea para uso de la comunidad ____ (2) que se le dé un descuento en mi factura de electricidad ____ (3) que se cree un programa de educación ambiental en la escuela de mi comunidad ____ (4) que la facilidad de energía renovable se convierta en una atracción turística ____ (5) que la facilidad de energía renovable se utilice para la educación ambiental de los
visitantes
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____ (6) que la electricidad producida se use para el funcionamiento de los hoteles del área ____ (7) que parte de los fondos generados se usen para la limpieza de las zonas contaminadas
de Vieques ____ (8) Otra compensación ______________________________________________ ____ (9) Ninguna compensación seria justa
22. Ha visto usted alguna vez un parque eólico? ____ (1) si ____ (2) no [PASE A LA PREGUNTA # 25]
23. Ha visitado algún lugar cerca de un parque eólico? ____ (1) si ____ (2) no [PASE A LA PREGUNTA # 25]
24. Ha vivido alguna vez cerca de un parque eólico? ____ (1) si [Donde? _____________________, Cual? ____________________]
____ (2) no C. Ahora, nos gustaria hacerle algunas preguntas sobre cosas que las personas pueden hacer para hacer sentir sus opiniones. Comenzamos con su comunidad, 25. ¿Es usted miembro de algún grupo comunitario como, por ejemplo, un consejo de seguridad vecinal, consejo escolar o asociación de condómines o vecinos? ____ (1) Sí ____ (2) No
26. ¿Es usted miembro de alguna organización o grupo ambientalista como Sierra Club, Misión
Industrial o Coalicion pro salud y rescate de Vieques? ____ (1) Sí ____ (2) No
27. ¿Ha participado usted, o ha asistido alguna vez a una vista publica? ____ (1) Sí
____ (2) No
28. ¿Es usted miembro de alguna cooperativa, de ahorro y credito, de agricultores, pescadores o de manejo?
____ (1) Sí ____ (2) No
D. Por ultimo queremos saber alguna información sobre usted y su hogar para poder entender mejor
sus respuestas anteriores. Por favor indíqueme: 29. ¿Cual es su edad? _________ 30. A que se dedica? _______________________________________________________
31. Vive permanente en Vieques?
____ (1) si ____ (2) no [PASE A LA PREGUNTA # 36]
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32. Cuantos años lleva viviendo permanente en Vieques? ________
33. Si no vive permanente en Vieques, es la primera vez que visita Vieques?
____ (1) si ____ (2) no. Cuantas veces ha visitado la isla? ______
34. La casa en la que se encuentra actualmente, es alquilada o de su propiedad?
____ (1) alquilada ____ (2) propiedad ____ (3) Otra: ____________________________
35. Que es lo que mas disfruta de esta área?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
36. Que es lo que mas le disgusta?
_________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________
37. De cuanto fue su ultima factura de energía eléctrica? ________
38. Cuál de las siguientes alternativas mejor describe su situación laboral actual?
____ (1) Trabajo a tiempo completo ____ (2) Trabajo a tiempo parcial ____ (3) No trabaja por salario ____ (4) Esta desempleado/a
39. ¿Cuál es el grado o título educativo más alto que usted recibió? (LEA ALTERNATIVAS) ____ (1) ninguno ____ (2) diploma de escuela elemental ____ (3) diploma de escuela intermedia ____ (4) diploma de escuela superior ____ (5) grado asociado/certificación técnica ____ (6) bachillerato ____ (7) maestría, grado profesional o más
40. ¿Cuántos niños menores de 18 años tiene usted bajo su custodia o tutela? _____
41. ¿Cuál de las siguientes categorías describe mejor el ingreso mensual total de su hogar? Por
favor incluya ingresos de todas las fuentes como por ejemplo salarios, rentas, pensiones, y ayudas. Guardaremos esta información bajo la más estricta confidencialidad (LEA ALTERNATIVAS)
____ (1) $0 a $499 ____ (2) $500 a $999 ____ (3) $1,000 a $1,499
47
____ (4) $1,500 a $1,999 ____ (5) $2,000 a $2,499 ____ (6) $2,500 a $2,999 ____ (7) $3,000 a $3,999 ____ (8) $4,000 a $4,999 ____ (9) $5,000 en adelante
42. Cual es su estado civil?:
____ (1) soltero/a ____ (2) casado/a ____ (3) conviviendo ____ (4) separado/a ____ (5) divorciado/a ____ (6) viudo/a
Hemos terminado. MUCHISIMAS GRACIAS POR SU PARTICIPACION Y QUE PASE BUEN DIA!!!
43. [POR OBSERVACION] Sexo: ___ (1) Femenino ___ (2) Masculino
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APPENDIX C: TEXT OF INFORMED CONSENT FORM
Estimado/a participante:
¡Saludos, de parte del Instituto Tropical de Energía, Ambiente y Sociedad (ITEAS) de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez (UPRM)! ITEAS es una red interdisciplinaria de investigadores/as de la UPRM que estudian aspectos sociales, económicos, técnicos y ambientales de la utilización de energía en Puerto Rico. Como parte de nuestras investigaciones, estamos realizando un estudio preliminar sobre las actitudes y percepciones de la comunidad sobre la posible localización de un proyecto de energía eólica (molinos de viento) piloto en el municipio de Vieques.
A usted lo/la estamos invitando a participar de este estudio por ser un constituyente importante a la hora de decidir si se desarrolla un proyecto como este o no, y donde seria el lugar ideal para localizarlo. Le pedimos que colabore con una entrevista por aproximadamente media hora, sobre sus ideas, percepciones y actitudes sobre la energía eólica en general y el posible establecimiento de un parque eólico en Vieques. Su participación es anónima y voluntaria, lo que significa que aun comenzada la entrevista, usted puede cambiar de opinión y dar por terminada su participación en cualquier momento. La información que usted nos brinde se utilizará únicamente para propósitos del estudio y de ser publicada, se hará de forma agregada para garantizar su confidencialidad. Las notas que se tomen durante la entrevista serán transcritas y archivadas bajo llave en las facilidades de ITEAS en la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Mayagüez. Solamente personal de ITEAS tendrá acceso a esa información.
Usted no gozará de beneficios personales o emocionales por participar en este estudio. Tampoco recibirá incentivo económico (dinero) por su participación. De la misma forma, no se anticipa que sufra daños psicológicos. Sin embargo, si se siente incómodo/a con una o varias preguntas está en la libertad de no contestarlas.
Si usted quiere recibir copia del informe de resultados, o de tener alguna queja, pregunta o duda, por favor comuníquese con alguno de los investigadores a cargo de este estudio: Dr. Cecilio Ortiz‐García ([email protected] / 787‐464‐2936) y Dra. Marla Pérez Lugo ([email protected] / 787‐806‐8584). El mismo estará disponible en ITEAS a partir de Agosto del 2008.
Muchísimas gracias,
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ITEAS