The Evolution of the Nuclear Debate: The Role of Public Participation

This paper suggests that public opposition to nuclear power also reflects mistrust of government bureaucracies and concern about the extent of citizen participation in policies concerning technology. For many people, nuclear energy development reflects the declining influence of the citizen in important policy areas. Opponents of nuclear power question more than the technology itself: the debate has challenged the nature of the decision-making process concerning large-scale technology as citizen groups demand open access to information and greater public participation. In response to such pressures, government bureaucracies have begun a reevaluation of decision-making procedures, as they grope for ways to reduce conflict, to win public acceptance of energy programs, and, more generally, to renew faith in governmental authority. First, a review of the evolution of conflict over nuclear policies is presented, which suggests the shift from an initial focus on technical problems about the impact of nuclear installations, to a concern with political authority. Following this is an examination of how government agencies have responded to the controversy by groping for ways to broaden public participation. Finally, the problems and limits of this response are suggested. 35 references.