Reliable and Resilient: Reframing Renewable Energy Acceptance

Author (Your Name)

• Brynne H. Robbins, Colby CollegeFollow

Date of Award

2026

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Open Access)

Department

Colby College. Environmental Studies Program

Advisor(s)

Alison Bates

Second Advisor

Philip Nyhus

Third Advisor

Catherine Fraser

Abstract

A transition to renewable energy is necessary to prevent the worst effects of climate change, but has been delayed in the US, in part, by a difficult regulatory environment and local opposition. Partisan politics and misinformation have also hindered the transition to renewables. Meanwhile, the US energy grid is experiencing increasing strain as infrastructure ages past its planned lifespan, data center energy consumption and industrial electrification drive demand up, and climate change-driven extreme weather events cause increasingly severe damage to infrastructure. This study examines the possibility of using grid resilience as a framing strategy for increasing energy acceptance, using a social acceptance framework.

I carried out a survey gauging familiarity with local infrastructure, experiences with extreme weather, community culture, perceptions of renewable energy reliability and resilience, preferred solutions for increasing grid performance, and expected impacts of local renewable energy development. This data was collected as part of a national omnibus survey in August 2025, comprising 1,207 respondents from across the US. Responses were weighted to be representative of US likely voter demographics. The survey was administered in collaboration with Data for Progress.

This study found broadly low energy literacy among respondents, and regional differences in exposure to energy infrastructure and extreme weather events. I found perceptions of greater reliability and resilience of renewable energy as opposed to fossil fuels to increase willingness to support local renewable energy development, and that experiencing significant power outages decreases confidence in fossil fuel reliability and resilience. Last, I found regional variation in how community descriptors, like “quiet,” “traditional,” or “picturesque,” impact the likelihood of finding your community of residence to be well-suited to renewable energy development.

This study shows potential for grid strengthening as an alternative framing strategy for renewable energy, as political shifts decrease bipartisan concern for climate change and willingness to develop renewable energy. It demonstrates the need for greater energy literacy, as well as a greater understanding of how regional differences shape our understanding of how renewable energy infrastructure could fit into our communities.

Keywords

extreme weather, reliability, resilience, regional differences, renewable energy, US

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