Case Studies in Cooperation with External Groups

by J. Bennett Easterling, U.S. Dept of Energy, Washington, United States,
Millard Peck, III, U.S. Dept of Energy, Washington, United States,



Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: High Level Radioactive Waste Management 1991

Abstract:

Public confidence in the safety of the high-level radioactive waste program can be improved by meaningful participation in the decisionmaking process. Public involvement and the resultant knowledge gained contributes to better-informed waste-management decisions which serves two basic functions: first, outside perspectives may lead to better decisions; and secondly, it adds to the legitimacy and public acceptance of the Department of Energy's decisions. Although there are many ways to foster public confidence in siting, public participation not carried out in good faith can be more damaging than no public participation at all. Indeed, it can contribute to the opposite effect of creating distrust, suspicion, and inevitably opposition.

Subject Headings: Public opinion and participation | Radioactive wastes | Case studies | Waste management | Public health and safety | Risk management | Power plants

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