Public stakeholders: What We Know and Expect

Abstract

Hundreds of surveys have sampled public preferences for different energy sources and associated perceptions. Far fewer polls have focused on waste management. The foundation for in-depth investigations rests on five sets of respondent attributes: (1) concern about the options, marked especially by strong feelings and emotions; (2) trust of responsible parties; (3) demographic characteristics, including race/ethnicity, age, and socioeconomic status; (4) culture and worldviews; and (5) personal history, including familiarity with sites and benefits associated with living near sites. The better studies show variation over time and place in support for nuclear and other energy sources and waste management policies. European surveys, for instance, show fascinating differences among adjacent countries that appear to parallel national energy policies. Initial reports show that the Fukushima nuclear-related events have caused a decrease in public support for nuclear energy that is also associated with decreasing trust of those responsible for managing waste sites. © Springer-Verlag London 2013.