Energy policy

The project examines the CE vision, governance and practices at a municipal level.

It focuses on three key CE sectors: food, energy (including transportation) and waste (Keblowski et al 2020). Two key research issues are raised:

1. How do stakeholders understand CE as a concept and what is their understanding of CE practices and assessment in a city and region like Victoriaville?
2. How is CE governed and practiced by different political and social stakeholders?

The questions will be explored from the perspectives of the concepts of the socio-technological vision and the governance of the socioecological transition.

The project aims to more clearly map the integration policy of the northeast’s electrical power sector by undertaking a comparative research project focused on the political economy of the energy transitions in Québec, New York, New England and the Maritimes. The recent success of the Champlain Hudson Power Express and ongoing challenges facing the New England Clean Energy Connect signal the need for a better understanding of the issues. Indeed, the ambition to position Québec at the centre of a regional circular economy as the battery of the northeast could intensify regional tensions given the unequal gains expected from trade between jurisdictions.

A number of research projects have explored the integration of the northeastern power sector, though most have focused on economic issues without considering broader political factors in much depth. In the spirit of comparative politics, the research will contrast policies in these respective jurisdictions in terms of a wide range of salient factors such as ideas, interests and institutions.