Science and precaution in the appraisal of electricity supply options

The technological risks associated with electricity generating options are a crucial consideration in the governance of energy strategies. Conversely, many central issues in the broader social debate over the governance of en vironmental risk (such as acid gas emissions, radioactive waste management, nuclear safety and global climate change) relate very strongly to technolo gy choice in the electricity supply sector. The particularities of this fie ld, therefore, offer a topical and pertinent case with which to explore the relationship between science and precaution in the governance of technolog ical risk. By reference to the electricity sector, the present paper examin es the contrasts between 'risk-based' and 'precautionary' approaches to the governance of risk, paying particular attention to the problems of intract able uncertainties and divergent values. A number of theoretical and method ological issues in conventional risk-assessment and cost-benefit analysis a re examined and their practical implications for appraisal explored. Attent ion then turns to the form that might be taken by approaches to the governa nce of energy risks that are at the same time scientifically well-founded a nd precautionary. Conclusions are drawn for decision and policy making in t his area. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.