Key Elements of Environmental Justice in the Geothermal Power Plant Resistance Movement

Abstract

Geothermal energy is currently considered an environmentally friendly, renewable energy source. However, based on empirical data from various countries, geothermal energy production often results socio-ecological losses for the host community. Various environmental justice movements have emerged to protect environment by protesting and providing a counter discourse against the dominant perception that geothermal energy is renewable and environmentally friendly. This article aimed to understand how the strategy and discourse of the Aliansi Selamatkan Slamet (freely translated into Save Slamet Alliance) movement in rejecting the construction of the Baturraden Geothermal Power Plant (PLTPB) in Banyumas by outlining the key elements and specific conditions observed. Aliansi Selamatkan Slamet is intriguing because it has achieved active involvement of various elements through its respective perspectives to jointly reject the construction of the PLTPB. Using a theoretical framework of the movement strategy, we examined how Aliansi Selamatkan Slamet determined the selection of targets, framing, time, and relations in the resistance movement. The method was a qualitative approach: a review of primary data in the form of interviews and written documents. The results indicate sociopolitical conditions, relations between organizations, and organizational cultures also influence the strategies and discourses that the Aliansi Selamatkan Slamet movement created.