ISSN:
1432-1009
Keywords:
Environmental impact statements
;
Acid deposition
;
Fossil-fuel power plants
;
Air quality
;
Water quality
;
Soil quality
;
Sulfur emissions
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Energy, Environment Protection, Nuclear Power Engineering
Notes:
Abstract Scientific quality in a technical policy document is defined in terms of the proportion of contemporary scientific principles on a subject that the document competently discusses. As a case study of the scientific quality of such documents, this articles examines the treatment of acid deposition effects in 126 environmental impact statements on fossil-fuel power plants. On average, the relevant environmental statements cover only a quarter of the eligible scientific principles. Bureaucratic and political factors influence the quality of discussion of acid deposition more than do strictly objective or scientific factors. In particular, public participation and interagency review processes foster relatively thorough consideration of scientific information in environmental impact statements.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01866336
