Burning-issue politics: How incinerator operators deal with fired-up communities
If TSDFs are the most controversial elements of hazardous waste regulation, then dealing with a host community is the most delicate issue in facility siting. In the last 20 years, public perception of hazardous waste treatment facilities, especially incinerators, has turned from naivete about waste management technologies to a general distrust of incinerator operators and government regulators. The political and emotional clout wielded by citizens and environmental activists can derail any incinerator developer's plans, even when industry and regulators support the project. Public resistance results from anxiety about the environment, low confidence in science and government, and a feeling of powerlessness over local events. Both RCRA and Superfund initially contained provisions for public comment but provided few statutory toeholds for citizens to obtain legal redress of grievances in court. Congress strengthened public participation opportunities when RCRA and Superfund were reauthorized in the 1980s. Since then, the public has become major player in the waste treatment business. Citizens group, often in combination with environmental organizations have waged aggressive public relations campaigns and used legal actions to defeat incinerator-siting proposals.
- OSTI ID:
- 5854804
- Journal Information:
- Hazmat World; (United States), Vol. 6:10; ISSN 0898-5685
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
INCINERATORS
REGULATIONS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
US SUPERFUND
WASTE MANAGEMENT
CONTROL
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
LAWS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
POLLUTION CONTROL
POLLUTION LAWS
540120* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety