Credibility, public trust, and the transport of radioactive waste through local communities

The location of a national repository for the storage of nuclear waste remains elusive, which is due, in part, to widespread public opposition. Once a site has been selected, waste will be trucked from sources to the site. This study reports the results of a survey of 28 community leaders who live along a planned route in Oregon in which waste from Hanford, Washington, would be trucked to a disposal site under consideration in New Mexico. The results show that problems of credibility of the U.S. Department of Energy as a message source and public distrust of the agency's performance are embedded in the risk communication of waste transport. A full partnership between the agency and local citizens may be a first step for restoring lost credibility and trust on transport issues.