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Visual and Textual Storylines by Coalitions in a Policy Controversy733to the SA agnotological discourse coalition, the discursive storyline of the latter coalition reflects a balanced way of interpreting the shale gas issue. It does so by utilizing contradicting normative frames: in this case, the pro-frame – bridge fuel or cleaner energy source – according to which shale gas is relatively ‘clean’ and therefore a step toward a more sustainable energy future, and the anti-frame – environmental/health risks. From the actors belonging to this coalition, we focus in this example on RIVM, the National Research Institute for Public Health and the Environment.The actor RIVM from the agnotological discourse coalition and the aforementioned actor Schaliegasvrij Nederland from the environmental risk discourse coalition use maps of shale gas reserves in the Netherlands (see Figure 3.7(a,b)). RIVM uses a map made by TNO, the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research. This map shows the geological layers where shale gas may be found in the Netherlands. Schaliegasvrij Nederland uses a similar map. However, on top of the layer showing potential shale gas reserves (in grey), it adds information about the areas in which exploration permits were issued (marked with a red line) and communities that declared themselves shale gas free (in green).The two Dutch actors communicate two different visual storylines through using these maps. RIVM narrates a storyline of potential, either for an economically prosperous future for the Netherlands or for a future of energy security (or both). Interestingly, the text adjacent to the map points out uncertainties involved in exploiting the potential. But while this text, together with the map, communicates a balanced way of interpreting the shale gas issue, the visual narrates a promise. The other actor, Schaliegasvrij Nederland, narrates a different storyline. By showing three layers of information – the geological data, the drilling permits, and the opposition to shale gas – it narrates a complete story of geological potential, a legal act that follows it, and opposition to this legal act (see also Metze, 2018b). Among these three layers, the visually most distinct one is of the communities that declared themselves shale gas free, making opposition the most dominant narrative of the map.Efrat.indd 73 19-09-2023 09:47