Research offers insight into CCS perceptions

November 6, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

An emerging method to store global warming carbon dioxide (CO2) underground faces challenges in gaining public acceptance, especially when the global benefits carry localized costs. A new study on the public acceptance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Indiana, a heavily coal-reliant state, shows that capturing carbon emissions and injecting them underground for long-term storage is supported by 80 percent of the population, but about 20 percent of the initial supporters disapprove of the use of the technology if the carbon storage facility would be built close to their homes and communities.

The research from the School of Public Affairs and Administration at the University of Kansas in collaboration with the School of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University and the Indiana Geological Survey shows that one-fifth of the initial supporters exhibit a "NIMBY" or "Not In My Back Yard" response to CCS.

Indianapolis Canal Walk. Credit: Serge Melki/Wikimedia Commons

CCS is designed to mitigate climate change by capturing the heat trapping gas carbon dioxide from coal plants and storing it deep underground, allowing for a more environmentally benign use of fossil fuels, but critics say it may prolong the dependence on coal, divert investment away from renewable energy sources, and burden local communities with costs and health risks. The risks often associated with CCS include CO₂ leakage, induced earthquake activity, explosions, and groundwater contamination. Concerns over these risks have led to some NIMBY-like responses and contributed to the cancellation of several planned CCS facilities in Europe.

The study of communities in Indiana found that world views, perceived economic benefits from CCS, and concerns about safety are the major factors that determine public acceptance of siting facilities nearby.

Previous research suggests that acceptance of climate change and new technologies can be predicted by the "individualist," "hierarchical," or "egalitarian" worldviews conceptualized by Douglas and Wildavsky. Individualists support new technologies that may drive economic growth. People with a hierarchical worldview follow the opinions of experts and support technology if it is recommended by credible officials. Egalitarians see inequality as the largest risk to society. Because climate change is expected to disproportionately affect the poor, egalitarians are likely to support CCS. The location of CCS facilities will not affect this support.

The Indiana study authors found that respondents' worldviews are good predictors of CCS support and NIMBY reactions. As predicted, an egalitarian viewpoint was associated with increased likelihood of support for nearby facilities. Respondents with an individualistic worldview were significantly less likely to display a NIMBY sentiment, perhaps because individualists may view CCS positively as a market-based response to climate change. Demographic variables such as age, race, income and political views did not strongly predict respondents' attitudes toward CCS. The strongest predictor of support of CCS was individuals' expectation that it would generate economic development which overcame potential NIMBY responses for most participants.

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/research-offers-insight-ccs-perceptions/2013-11-06