Abstract

Interesting experiences of electricity infrastructures facing local uprisings in two towns separated by a great distance inspire us the aim of this paper: to discuss the hard and hostile side of electricity infrastructure constructions of fossil fuel plants in mobilized citizen localities. Levels of hostility are proposed as different pulses, where unexpected public demonstrations invade the public arena. These may result from socio-technical closures in environmental impact evaluations, which mirror secret energy alliances, showing the influences and pressures of these transnational businesses. We also consider collective actions incorporating interpretations and new and unexpected alliances. The proposal draws on two qualitative, ethnographic studies about local socio-environmental conflicts against the construction of fossil fuel power plants, one of which occurred in the Basque region of Spain, and the other in Coquimbo region of Chile. Finally, we propose that these geographically disperse studies, with their differing results, contribute to the discussion of locality as a frame of resistance in the face of violent infrastructures, which goes beyond normalized processes and unfolds on other levels of action.