The low-level radioactive waste siting process in Connecticut: Anatomy of a failure

Journal Article · Sat Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1994 · Policy Studies Review

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-0072.1994.tb01493.x· OSTI ID:90905

Kearney, R C; Smith, A A

The national policy to manage low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) from commercial nuclear power plants and other generators appears to be at a standstill with regard to siting new lLRW disposal facilities in the states. Regional compacts have been established and host stated designated in most compacts, but the NIMBY problem has proved insurmountable. Connecticut has been added to the growing list of states that have experienced siting setbacks and failures. This case study describes and analyzes the Connecticut experience. We show that siting was derailed by a technical-rationality approach that ignored the political dimensions of siting until it was too late, and by the consequent and powerful NIMBY reaction that ensued. We consider the national LLRW policy dimensions of siting failures and suggest possible policy alternatives for siting LLRW disposal facilities. 29 refs., 1 fig., 2 tabs.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 90905
• Journal Information: Policy Studies Review, Journal Name: Policy Studies Review Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 22; ISSN 0278-4416; ISSN PSRWD5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

05 NUCLEAR FUELS
CONNECTICUT
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTE FACILITIES
SITE SELECTION