Some principles for siting controversy decisions: lessons from the US experience with high level nuclear waste

Abstract

Beginning with the role of ‘stakeholders’ – those whose interests are, knowingly or unknowingly, affected – in the siting of noxious facilities, this paper seeks to develop principles for acceptable and democratically arrived at policies related to problems associated with advances in and products of science and technology. Although widely regarded as a necessary condition for success, the principles underpinning stakeholder involvement, such as representativeness, often are violated in practice. Using the example of the failure to site a high‐level nuclear waste (HLW) repository in the United States, complexities related to the proposed principles are noted. Because safe disposal of HLW transcends national boundaries, other principles also are recommended. These include: 1. recognition of the inevitability of uncertainty and agreed‐upon ways of dealing with it; 2. development of ‘communities of fate’ and of trust among all stakeholders; 3. building on common values related to the environment and to the well‐being of future generations; and 4. adherence to the rule of law.