Energy facility siting and public institutions: a case study
Public participation in traditionally hierarchial Federal decision making has, besides introducing many beneficial social programs, narrowed the process focus from broad national interests to specific issues. Pennsylvania's experience with the concept of siting power plants in energy parks is used to illustrate some of the problems that arise when sophisticated policies are addressed at decentralized town meetings. The energy-park concept entails technical considerations that include the impact on climate, land use, labor, and the local population. A chronology of the Pennsylvania case reveals that negative local attitudes can reduce policy decision making to an adversary proceeding which, while valid for special issues, does not examine the broad social and economic implications of national policies. Although a growing distrust of centralized government is blamed for much of the shift, the effort to meet special-interest needs should not have a disproportionate influence on resource and energy-management decisions. (DCK)
- Research Organization:
- Pennsylvania State Univ., University Park
- OSTI ID:
- 5284752
- Journal Information:
- Electr. Perspect.; (United States), Journal Name: Electr. Perspect.; (United States) Vol. 77/5:77-1E; ISSN ELPED
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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ADVERSARIES
BEHAVIOR
COMMUNITIES
DECISION MAKING
ECONOMIC IMPACT
EMPLOYMENT
ENERGY FACILITIES
ENERGY PARKS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
INTERVENORS
LAND USE
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
NORTH AMERICA
PENNSYLVANIA
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
SITE SELECTION
SOCIAL IMPACT
USA