1. ATTITUDES TOWARDS NEW RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES
IN THE EASTERN ONTARIO HIGHLANDS
Stewart Fast
Department of Geography
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
sfast082@uottawa.ca
Robert McLeman
Department of Geography
University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Abstract
As governments seek to expand generation capacity from sources such as solar farms, wind
turbines, hydroelectric and biomass generators, rural responses to renewable energy become
increasingly important. In early 2011 we conducted a mail-out survey of permanent residents
and follow-up focus groups in two rural eastern Ontario municipalities to assess public attitudes
and to project acceptance and potential uptake of various technologies. Survey participation
was relatively high (n = 164, response rate 20%). One focus group included local and regional
government decision-makers, the other for residents representing a range of socio-economic
and demographic groups. Results showed strong support among residents to pursue alternative
energy sources (89%), mostly out of concerns with rising energy costs, but also from a desire to
use local energy sources. Support was highest for solar technologies (87%) and lowest for wind
turbines (60%) and new hydroelectric dams (58%). There was little evidence of NIMBY views
being prevalent among permanent residents, although focus groups expressed the view that
seasonal residents (to be targeted in a later survey) may hold different attitudes. Our findings
suggest rural residents start with favourable attitudes towards alternative forms of energy
production. Acceptance and uptake will likely be strengthened by locally relevant demonstration
projects and by supporting citizen involvement in task groups, workshops or other venues for
information sharing.