ID: 1937
Presenting Author: Janis Crawford
Session: 690 - Transforming Together: Dialogue, Transparency & Action in Energy Transitions
Status: pending
This case study aims to share a reliable and structured collaborative approach to early-stage engagement that can help reassure stakeholder’s concerns about technical or complex issues, strengthen pro
This case study will show how a structured, collaborative and human-centered approach to early-stage engagement, can answer stakeholders’ concerns, strengthen project credibility and improve social impact assessment technical or complex issues.
Hydro-Québec is spearheading an energy transition which calls for increased electricity production and an additional 5 000 km of transmission infrastructure to bring electricity to consumers. In a recent project to upgrade electric infrastructures in Montreal, an important topic of concern was the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health. More than 40 years of studies have come to reassuring conclusions on the topic, but they are not sufficient to answer many citizens’ concerns. The world wide web contains a plethora of data and opinions on EMFs that can generate and fuel concerns about their safety.
Hydro-Québec adopted a collaborative approach to respond to citizens’ and elected officials’ questions and concerns. Three pillars of this early-stage engagement were a working committee involving local government and citizens, an independent analysis and a credible and empathetic expert.
EMFs were a major topic on the joint working committee established between the city, local citizens and Hydro-Québec. An independent researcher conducted an analysis of current and future EMFs, which led to in-the-field learning and multiple discussions. Key success factors were the project team’s willingness to further technical projections in response to questions, produce made-to-measure communication tools, and take time to talk abou
Janis Crawford is a Senior Public Participation Advisor at Hydro-Québec and dedicated to implementing structured information and consultation processes, to establish genuine dialogue and meaningful st