Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book provides an essential starting place for understanding the regulatory situation in the United States and an analytical approach that identifies the social, political and environmental consequences of the regulatory system. It provides valuable information around the way in which extended peer communities are (or are not) directly involved, and the authors call for greater opportunities for the co-production of knowledge as a way to ameliorate many of the associated communicative challenges. The book explores the complexities of the relationship between industry, community leaders and public stakeholders. It highlights the concepts of multi-scale governance and the role of socially constructed narratives by different actors at different levels of governance. The book summarizes the multiple aspects considered by citizens to comprise energy governance.