Learning Contested Lessons

Participation Equity and Electric Utility Regulation

Bibliographic Data

ID4074307
AuthorsFrank N Laird (0000-0001-9595-6707, University of Denver, corresponding author)
Year2008
Volume25
Issue5
Pages429-448
Publication date2008-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReview of Policy Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1541-132X • E-ISSN: 1541-1338
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1541-1338.2008.00345.x
OpenAlexW2025806755
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited20

Electric utilities have typically enjoyed a close and cooperative relationship with the state regulatory bodies that oversee them. In 2001, the Colorado Public Utilities Commission mandated that the largest Colorado utility build a wind power plant as part of its conventional generating capacity, despite the utility's vigorous objections. Local environmental groups, intervening in a form of rule making called Integrated Resource Planning, succeeded in overturning regulatory capture. This paper explains this anomalous case and highlights the role of knowledge and learning in the outcome. The case shows the opportunities and limitations of using contested technical knowledge to push for institutional learning. The case also suggests the importance of repeated policy processes. Wind energy advocates perceived that they had acquired participation equity, ownership in the process akin to Kingdon's "softening up," which led policy makers to take their arguments more seriously, opening up the possibility of institutional learning

Business · Commission · Economics · Political science · Public economics · Computer Science · Law · Policy Transfer and Learning · Political Influence and Corporate Strategies · Public Administration · Sustainability and Climate Change Governance · Finance

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