Public choice in water resource management: two case studies of the small-scale hydroelectric controversy
Hydroelectric issues have a long history in the Pacific Northwest, and more recently have come to focus on developing environmentally less-obtrusive means of hydroelectric generation. Small-scale hydroelectric represents perhaps the most important of these means of developing new sources of renewable resources to lessen the nation's dependence on foreign sources of energy. Each potential small-scale hydroelectric project, however, manifests a unique history which provides a highly useful opportunity to study the process of collective social choice in the area of new energy uses of water resources. Utilizing the basic concepts of public choice theory, a highly developed and increasingly widely accepted approach in the social sciences, the politicalization of small-scale hydroelectric proposals is analyzed. Through the use of secondary analysis of archival public opinion data collected from residents of the State of Idaho, and through the development of the two case studies - one on the Palouse River in Eastern Washington and the other at Elk Creek Falls in Northern Idaho, the policy relevant behavior and influence of major actors is assessed. Results provide a useful test of the utility of public-choice theory for the study of cases of natural-resources development when public involvement is high.
- Research Organization:
- Washington State Univ., Pullman (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5503725
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Thesis (Ph. D.)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
13 HYDRO ENERGY
FEDERAL REGION X
SMALL-SCALE HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
WATER RESOURCES
POLITICAL ASPECTS
PROPOSALS
MANAGEMENT
HYDROELECTRIC POWER PLANTS
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NORTH AMERICA
POWER PLANTS
RESOURCES
USA
290400* - Energy Planning & Policy- Energy Resources
130500 - Hydro Energy- Economic
Industrial
& Business Aspects