Synopses & Reviews
Many lament the difficulty of siting hazardous waste facilities that are intended to benefit the public at large but are locally unwanted. Many label local opposition as purely self-interested; as simply a function of the NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) syndrome. Drawing upon the experience of states trying to site new low-level radioactive waste disposal facilities, Mary English argues that we need to think harder and look deeper, to understand--and, possibly, solve--the siting dilemma.
The 1980 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act ushered in a new era in low-level radioactive waste disposal; one of vastly increased state responsibility. By a 1985 amendment, states were given until January 1993 to develop a new system of disposal facilities. English reviews the progress they have made, focusing on one difficulty: that of finding technically and socially acceptable sites. She then turns to issues concerning authority, trust, risk, and justice that help to shape the siting dilemma. This book is made highly readable by vivid examples drawn from recent efforts to site low-level waste disposal facilities. The volume will be a helpful resource to those in the public and private sectors who are immediately concerned with the siting of radioactive waste disposal facilities, hazardous waste facilities, solid waste landfills, incinerators, etc., as well as social scientists who are studying this problem.
Review
this book should provide insight to anyone involved in selecting or approving the location of controversial facilities." The Hazardous Waste Consultant . . . welcome this thoughtful analysis, which raises the implicit yet vitally important issues of authority, trust, risk, justice, and legitimacy to a level of discussion at which they can be considered and incorporated into future siting efforts. The author presents something for nearly everyone in this exhaustive discussion of an important, contemporary environmental problem. Most importantly, the issues are handled in such a way that no biases were evident. The author is to be commended for the depth and perceptivity of her work.The Hazardous Waste Consultant Forum For Applied Research and Public Policy RISK
Synopsis
The 1980 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act ushered in a new era in low-level waste disposal; one with vastly increased state responsibilities. By a 1985 amendment, states were given until January 1993 to fulfill their mandate. English reviews their progress, focusing on one intractable problem: the difficulty of finding technically and socially acceptable sites for new disposal facilities. To comprehend--and, possibly, solve--the siting dilemma, differing values on issues concerning authority, trust, risk, and justice must be understood.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [265]-267) and index.
About the Author
MARY R. ENGLISH is an Associate Director of the University of Tennessee's Energy, Environment, and Resources Center and a Senior Fellow of the University's Waste Management Research and Education Institute.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Getting to 1993
Authority
Trust
Risk
Justice
The Quest for Legitimacy
Epilogue
Appendices: A The 1980 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act: B The 1985 Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act: C Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Facility Siting Programs
Recommended References
Index