The role of the public in the French nuclear sector: the case of “Local Information Commissions” (CLIs) for nuclear activities

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to understand what role the public plays, through CLIs (Commission of Local Information), in the governance of nuclear safety. It presents an in-depth longitudinal case from the French nuclear sector and proposes a pragmatist framework to study the construction and maintenance of the public over time. The author analyzes the circumstances in which the people potentially impacted by nuclear activities can become active participants in the governance of such high-risk industries, and how they can organize themselves and build a common voice. The dissertation establishes that when CLIs play both the role of a “Generalized Other” representing the public’s voice, and the role of a civil provider of second opinions, able to discuss the complex subjects at stake, they become a powerful and legitimate stakeholder in nuclear safety governance. In such circumstances, CLIs should be able to conduct investigations that are both commonsensical and technical. These characteristics would make CLI-led investigations all the more rich and useful for the governance of nuclear safety. The technical aspect (with the help of experts and specialists) would reinforce the legitimacy of such investigations in the eyes of nuclear actors, and their commonsensical or “layman’s view” aspect would provide an alternative view of nuclear questions in the safety debate, potentially leading to creative ways of addressing the issues and situations at stake.