Public participation in nuclear waste management
The recent report of the Interagency Review Group (IRG) on Nuclear Waste Management formalized what has become increasingly clear in recent years: public participation in nuclear waste management decisions is a fact of life and will be more emphasized in the future than in the past. The purpose of this paper is to discuss, and stimulate discussion, of major issues which must be considered before attempting to design and implement a program to encourage public participation in this complex and sensitive area. Public participation is a term with many possible meanings. The term is used here to stand for a very wide range of activities including: providing information about programs and intended actions, seeking advice or permission from state or local officials, conducting public meetings to announce plans and receive reactions, conducting hearings, establishing consultative panels of outside experts or special interest group members, and even conducting surveys of public opinion and concern. This paper is not a proposal or a set of specific recommendations, but a stimulus to thought and discussion. It was prepared with DOE's role in waste management in mind, and benefits from the authors' opportunity to observe the public participation process in this topic area to data. The paper is organized into four sections that take account of (1) past participation efforts, (2) why public participation is necessary and what might be gained by it, (3) considerations in designing a participation program, and (4) major principles involved in conducting a public participation program, including a brief review of participation procedures.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Human Affairs Research Center, Seattle, WA (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5430613
- Report Number(s):
- B-HARC-411-021
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Summary of the report to the President by the Interagency Review Group on Nuclear Waste Management
Report to the President by the Interagency Review Group on Nuclear Waste Management
Related Subjects
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
DECISION MAKING
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
INFORMATION
MANAGEMENT
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE MANAGEMENT