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The Low‐Level Radioactive Waste Siting Process in Connecticut
Author(s) -
Kearney Richard C.,
Smith Ande A.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
policy studies journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 69
eISSN - 1541-0072
pISSN - 0190-292X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1541-0072.1994.tb01493.x
Subject(s) - nimby , radioactive waste , politics , nuclear power , waste management , environmental planning , rationality , process (computing) , national policy , engineering , business , political science , civil engineering , environmental science , law , international trade , computer science , ecology , biology , operating system
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 stales 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.