Risk in the pursuit of benefit

Journal Article · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1978 · EPRI J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6431722

Terra, S

A summer conference was held by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Advisory Council to discuss the impact of energy production on health and the environment. The government's role as a funding agent for energy research includes disseminating risk assessments to the public. This was faulted by some, particularly in the area of nuclear energy. Conferees disagreed over the quality and interpretation of data that government agencies release to the public, but agreed that public confusion over goals and acceptable risks makes it difficult for regulators. Legislation and court decisions, often responding to pressure-group influence, are constantly shifting the balance between individual and societal goals even though there is often little correlation between statistical and perceived risks. A refocusing of the concept of hazards and the criteria for risks was recommended, and a set of new guidelines for technology risk assessment was suggested that ignores minor risks, bans large risks and actively studies all others.

• OSTI ID: 6431722
• Journal Information: EPRI J.; (United States), Journal Name: EPRI J.; (United States) Vol. 3:9; ISSN EPRJD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

054000 -- Nuclear Fuels-- Health & Safety
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
290300* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
530200 -- Environmental-Social Aspects of Energy Technologies-- Assessment of Energy Technologies-- (-1989)
570000 -- Health & Safety
99 GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS
DECISION MAKING
ENERGY FACILITIES
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
EPRI
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
INTERVENORS
PUBLIC HEALTH
PUBLIC OPINION
RADIATION HAZARDS
RISK ASSESSMENT
TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION