Leaders or Networkers? The Role of Mayors in Renewable Energy Transition

Why do some cities adopt more renewable energy than others? This mixed methods study quantifies effects that supportive city mayors can have on their city's renewable energy transition. We draw on the case of sizable cities (at least 30,000 residents) in the US state of Massachusetts and the Japanese prefecture of Chiba. Mayoral support for renewable power greatly boosts solar adoption, but strong social capital in cities can empower or shackle mayors' efforts, depending on the type of social capital. Cities with supportive mayors adopted more solar given strong bridging social capital. However, adding strong linking social capital led to less solar. Bridging ties mobilize residents, but linking ties help direct officials to immediate resident needs, which may not include renewables. By highlighting the role of mayors in renewable energy, we hope to clarify in what situations mayors can make a difference in helping cities transition to renewable energy