Overcoming NIMBY: Partisanship, Ideology, and Change in Risk Perception over Time, Hank C. Jenkins-Smith, Carol L Silva, and Matthew Nowlin

The not-in-my-backyard (NIMBY) syndrome has long been researched and discussed. The standard NIMBY model assumes that proximity to facilities that are perceived to pose a risk to the local community drive resistance to such facility. This is particularly true in the case of nuclear facilities. Other research however, has shown that perception of benefits by local residents can overcome some of the NIMBY sentiments. In addition, other research has demonstrated that broader views environment contributes to NIMBY sentiments. Our research will test several competing hypothesis about NIMBY sentiments including demographics, proximity, political ideology and partisanship, and the unfolding process over time. To test these hypotheses we use survey data collected in New Mexico dealing with risk perceptions and acceptance related to the Waste Isolation Pilot Project (WIPP). WIPP is a permanent storage site for low-level radioactive waste located in Carlsbad, New Mexico. WIPP became operational and received its first shipment of waste on March 26, 1999. This study tracks the changes of risk perception and acceptance over a decade, using measures taken at multiple points in each year. The data set includes 35 surveys, and spans an 11-year time period from fall 1990 to summer 2001. This time frame includes periods before and after WIPP became operational. We find that acceptance of WIPP is positive and significant among those in the most proximate counties to WIPP, while acceptance is negative and significant among those along the transportation route. We also find that ideology, partisanship, government approval and environmental concern impact WIPP acceptance. Finally, several steps in the policy process are important to acceptance, most significantly the opening of the WIPP facility itself.

Email me if you want to read the paper. clsilva@ou.edu