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On‐Site Storage of High Level Nuclear Waste: Attitudes and Perceptions of Local Residents
Author(s) -
Bassett Gilbert W.,
JenkinsSmith Hank C.,
Silva Carol
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
risk analysis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.972
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1539-6924
pISSN - 0272-4332
DOI - 10.1111/j.1539-6924.1996.tb01465.x
Subject(s) - nuclear power , radioactive waste , waste disposal , nimby , business , politics , waste management , environmental planning , risk perception , public opinion , tourism , perception , engineering , environmental science , civil engineering , political science , geography , psychology , archaeology , law , ecology , neuroscience , biology
No public policy issue has been as difficult as high‐level nuclear waste. Debates continue regarding Yucca Mountain as a disposal site, and—more generally—the appropriateness of geologic disposal and the need to act quickly. Previous research has focused on possible social, political, and economic consequences of a facility in Nevada. Impacts have been predicted to be potentially large and to emanate mainly from stigmatization of the region due to increased perceptions of risk. Analogous impacts from leaving waste at power plants have been either ignored or assumed to be negligible. This paper presents survey results on attitudes of residents in three counties where nuclear waste is currently stored. Topics include perceived risk, knowledge of nuclear waste and radiation, and impacts on jobs, tourism, and housing values from leaving waste on site. Results are similar to what has been reported for Nevada; the public is concerned about possible adverse effects from on‐site storage of waste.