Potential negative impacts of nuclear activities on local economies: Rethinking the issue
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States)
Surveys of public opinion about perceptions of risk associated with the nuclear fuel cycle have shown that the public professes a widespread feeling of dread, a fear of associated stigmas, and a concern about possible catastrophic nuclear accidents. Various interest groups and state governments that oppose congressionally mandated siting of centralized high-level radioactive waste (HLW) storage and disposal facilities are using this negative imagery to create a powerful, emotional obstacle to the siting process. From statistical analyses of images and location preferences, researchers have claimed that possible significant economic losses could potentially accompany the siting of HLW facilities. However, several paradoxes, or self-contradictory statements, apparently exist between the responses expressed in surveys and the actual economic and demographic behavior evidenced in the marketplace. Federal policymakers need to evaluate whether the request for a change in siting policy is based on subjective fear of a potential negative economic effect or on proven negative effects. Empirically observed behavior does not support predicted negative economic effects based on survey responses. 41 refs.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6558637
- Journal Information:
- Risk Analysis; (United States), Journal Name: Risk Analysis; (United States) Vol. 14:5; ISSN 0272-4332; ISSN RIANDF
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290201* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics-- (1992-)
290202 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Sociology-- (1992-)
FUEL CYCLE
HIGH-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER PLANTS
PROCESSING
PUBLIC ANXIETY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT
RADIOACTIVE WASTE PROCESSING
RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTORS
STORAGE
THERMAL POWER PLANTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE STORAGE
WASTES