Sociopolitical challenges to the siting of facilities with perceived environmental risks
Name
55087972-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
4.31 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
79581c2930d25db3a10a30bcdc2e3386
Author(s)
Heddle, Gemma Aymonne, 1975-
Advisor(s)
Howard Herzog.
Date Issued
2003
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
Difficulties are often experienced in the siting of facilities that serve a public need but also pose localized safety, health and/or environmental risks. This has historically been due to not-in-my-back- yard (NIMBY) opposition on the part of more affluent neighborhoods but, more recently, can also be attributed to minority and low-income communities' pursuit of environmental justice. An emerging technology for which siting is likely to present a particular challenge is geologic carbon sequestration. This thesis uses a case study approach to develop a set of recommendations for preventing and, if required, dealing with local opposition to geologic carbon sequestration projects - and necessary but controversial facilities, in general. These recommendations stress the wisdom of neither discounting the possibility nor effectiveness of opposition based on NIMBY syndrome or environmental justice concerns; the potential for careful site selection to reduce the likelihood of local opposition; the importance of meaningful public participation, trust building and compensation in securing community support; and, in the case of facilities with localized risks, the need to educate community members as to the risks involved.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, Technology and Policy Program; and, (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, 2003.
Includes bibliographical references.
Subjects
Technology and Policy Program.
Civil and Environmental Engineering.
MIT Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Engineering Systems Division
Technology and Policy Program
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
