Reversing Nuclear Opposition: Evolving Public Acceptance of a Permanent Nuclear Waste Disposal Facility

摘要: Nuclear facilities have long been seen as the top of list locally unwanted land uses (LULUs), with nuclear waste repositories generating greatest opposition. Focusing on case Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) in southern New Mexico, we test competing hypotheses concerning sources opposition and support for siting facility, including demographics, proximity, political ideology, partisanship, unfolding policy process over time. This study tracks changes risk perception acceptance WIPP a decade, using measures taken from 35 statewide surveys Mexico citizens spanning an 11-year period fall 1990 to summer 2001. time span includes periods before after became operational. We find that is greater among those whose residences are closest facility. Surprisingly, contrary expectations drawn broader literature, also who live transportation route. government approval, environmental concerns influence acceptance. Finally, sequence procedural steps toward formal approval by agencies proved be important gaining public acceptance, most significant being opening facility itself.