Risks and psychic costs of alternative energy sources for generating electricity
Journal Article
·
· Energy J.; (United States)
Divisive personal issues will continue to impede the formulation of a coherent national energy policy until we come to grips with the disagreements and anxieties behind the issues. Variations in individual anxiety profiles and limited knowledge are the major sources of conflict. A structured approach for analyzing psychic costs in the risk-cost-benefit analyses of energy options focuses on the electric-utility industry. Coupling psychic costs with economic costs requires an understanding of how social values interact to produce either risk acceptance or risk rejection. A review of the literature shows that people experiencing a continuous anxiety state may come to value the focus of their fear as a policy issue more than on loss of life. Public reaction after the Three Mile Island accident illustrates this condition. Personal bias in risk perception is variable partly because of differences in information. Information and personal values, however, can be mutually incompatible and lead to psychic conflicts. Proponents of soft energy technology, for example, are criticized for their lack of information about the associated risks and not credited for the psychic benefits of their goals. 58 references. (DCK)
- Research Organization:
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Washington, DC
- OSTI ID:
- 6941196
- Journal Information:
- Energy J.; (United States), Journal Name: Energy J.; (United States) Vol. 2:1; ISSN ENJOD
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
ATTITUDES
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ETHICS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT
290200* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
ATTITUDES
ENERGY POLICY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ETHICS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT