Science narratives: The construction, mobilisation and validation of Hydro Tasmania's case for Basslink
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Conference Contribution - unpublished
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Abstract
This paper examines how narratives have been used in policy settings to ‘manage’ uncertainty and the limitations of predictive modelling. The research follows the assessment of a major energy infrastructure project that now links Australia’s southern island state of Tasmania to the mainland, the Basslink under-sea electricity cable. The analysis identifies within arguments presented by the project proponents, their scientists and consultants key narratives that served to overcome data gaps, explain inconsistencies, erase unexpected model outputs, contextualize findings and mobilise ontological claims. The stories were found to be so compelling they were adopted by the regulatory body that approved the project. It is concluded from the narrative analysis that the disclosure of uncertainty can obscure as much as it reveals about the impacts of a development project.