Using previous public testimony to prepare risk messages
People need a sense of control over their own lives, but they sometimes feel that they do not have that control when faced with a risk such as that posed by a nuclear power reactor or an incinerator for radioactive waste. Agencies communicating the risk must understand the fears of stakeholders (the people who share in the risk) and try to address those fears. The Emergency Response and Community Right to Know Act, Title 3 of the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA), is a broad risk communication statute that ensures that the information is available through statutes, public hearings, and the media. To arrive at a decision about a risk concerning them and thereby achieve a sense of control, stakeholders must have access to the information about a decision and then must understand it. Their task is seemingly simple: they only have to use their rights under Title 3 to find information on a risk, act on the information, and make an informed choice about the risk. One way that agencies can help the stakeholders maneuver through the maze of regulations governing a risk and communicating the risk itself is through public hearings that actively seek the involvement of the stakeholders. This report suggests items that should be included in the risk message.
- Research Organization:
- Los Alamos National Lab., NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- DOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-36
- OSTI ID:
- 5806950
- Report Number(s):
- LA-UR-91-2544; CONF-920525--2; ON: DE91016307
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
990300* -- Information Handling
ACCIDENTS
DOCUMENT TYPES
HAZARDS
HEARINGS
HUMAN FACTORS
INFORMATION
INFORMATION DISSEMINATION
INFORMATION NEEDS
LAWS
MEETINGS
POLLUTION LAWS
PUBLIC INFORMATION
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC RELATIONS
US SUPERFUND