Local residents' attributions for nuclear decisions

Residents of communities in Southwest England were asked to account for the industry's choice of a site for a new nuclear power station within the region. Analyses based on responses of 904 individuals to mailed questionnaires indicated that those whose own attitudes were more pronuclear attributed less influence and reliability to more antinuclear sources, and regarded the industry as having been more attentive to a whole set of aspects, with the exception of local opposition/acceptance. Residents of communities that had been on the industry's original shortlist for a new power station, but since eliminated, attributed greater influence to the environmentalist movement and local action groups. Attributions of influence may reflect general approval of the stance taken by different sources.