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Living with Nuclear Power: A Q‐Method Study of Local Community Perceptions

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  • Dan Venables
  • Nick Pidgeon
  • Peter Simmons
  • Karen Henwood
  • Karen Parkhill

Abstract

The issue of new nuclear power is once again high up on the public policy agenda in many countries, and candidate sites for new civilian stations are likely to include those that have existing nuclear facilities. A common assumption is that existing nuclear communities will be more accepting of new build because of the direct economic and other benefits nuclear power already makes to a local area. Surprisingly, there is a dearth of contemporary data on perceptions of the risks, benefits, and values associated with nuclear power within such communities. This study uses Q‐methodology to investigate the perspectives on living with nuclear risk among people (n = 84) drawn from communities near to two nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom. Both stations, at Bradwell‐on‐Sea and Oldbury‐on‐Severn, had been in operation for over 40 years. The Q‐analysis identified four main perspectives, or points of view, accounting for 53% of total variance. These were interpreted as: Beneficial and Safe; Threat and Distrust; Reluctant Acceptance; and There's No Point Worrying. We conclude that the “landscape of beliefs” about nuclear power in such communities is both subtle and complex, avoiding simplistic bipolar dichotomies such as “for” or “against,” and that there is a need for extensive and meaningful dialogue with such communities over any new build plans. The usefulness of Q‐methodology for investigating the ways in which people live with risk is highlighted, as are the implications of the results for theories of risk and trust.

Suggested Citation

  • Dan Venables & Nick Pidgeon & Peter Simmons & Karen Henwood & Karen Parkhill, 2009. "Living with Nuclear Power: A Q‐Method Study of Local Community Perceptions," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(8), pages 1089-1104, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:riskan:v:29:y:2009:i:8:p:1089-1104
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1539-6924.2009.01259.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Adrian D. Johnson, 2017. "Tapping Into the Potential of African American Alumni of Urban Schools," SAGE Open, , vol. 7(3), pages 21582440177, July.
    3. John C. Besley & Sang‐Hwa Oh, 2014. "The Impact of Accident Attention, Ideology, and Environmentalism on American Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 34(5), pages 949-964, May.
    4. Judith I. M. de Groot & Linda Steg & Wouter Poortinga, 2013. "Values, Perceived Risks and Benefits, and Acceptability of Nuclear Energy," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 33(2), pages 307-317, February.
    5. Wang, Yu & Gu, Jibao & Wu, Jianlin, 2020. "Explaining local residents’ acceptance of rebuilding nuclear power plants: The roles of perceived general benefit and perceived local benefit," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    6. Lingyi Zhou & Yixin Dai, 2019. "The Influencing Factors of Haze Tolerance in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    7. John C. Besley, 2012. "Does Fairness Matter in the Context of Anger About Nuclear Energy Decision Making?," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(1), pages 25-38, January.
    8. Carmen Keller & Vivianne Visschers & Michael Siegrist, 2012. "Affective Imagery and Acceptance of Replacing Nuclear Power Plants," Risk Analysis, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 32(3), pages 464-477, March.

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