Baselines of acceptability and generational change on the Mactaquac hydroelectric dam headpond (New Brunswick,Canada)

Hydroelectricity is an old yet reliable form of renewable energy, with acknowledged social and ecological impacts. A tension currently exists between such concerns and energy needs, with dam construction and removal ongoing around the world. It is critical to better understand the implications of both on local citizens. We performed map elicitation interviews with 20 locals around the prematurely-aging Mactaquac Dam and headpond, in New Brunswick, Canada, to understand if and how they came to accept the dam landscape, and what they want for its future. A Baselines of Acceptability conceptual framework was developed to guide the interpretation. Respondents demonstrated attachment to the dam-in-place landscape, even those initially disadvantaged by its construction, and a preference for keeping the headpond intact. Despite this demonstrated adaptability, the paper calls for improved transparency, scope and justice in energy landscape decision-making, as well as further testing of the framework with different demographics, infrastructure case studies and over time.