Abstract
Large-scale development of offshore wind (OSW) brings together actors with varied goals: Some policymakers are deeply committed to the goals of advancing renewable energy transition and climate mitigation. Universities and research institutions seek opportunities for scientific advancement and reputational and material benefits associated with technological innovations. The scale of infrastructure development also creates new opportunities for transnational energy corporations, private investors, and labor unions. Yet, OSW development, especially of floating OSW, has crucial knowledge gaps vis-a-vis several engineering and technological aspects and their social and ecological impacts. How do the incumbents deploy knowledge gaps as an opportunity to forge narratives to support their interests and aspirations? How does such ‘knowledge entrepreneurship’ intersect with the efforts to obstruct climate action and renewable energy transition? How might insurgent actors counter incumbent power and gain influence in the policy process?
In pursuing these questions, Kashwan maps the myriad ways in which influential actors tapped into knowledge gaps to pursue specific political and economic goals tied to Maine’s OSW policy development. His findings suggest that focusing narrowly on the apparently ill-intentioned disinformation campaigns and strategies for obstructing energy transition can undermine the broader goals of policy development in a field that is undergoing rapid technological and infrastructure development. Kashwan shows that countering the cynical politics of knowledge entrepreneurship demands nimble, adaptive, and strategically designed policy engagement among actors cutting across the silos of state, society, and markets. He concludes by reflecting on the implications of this research for OSW policy development on the West Coast.