The Nuclear Narrative: How Three Meltdowns Shaped a Nation’s Energy Debate
A new study in Energy Research & Social Science examines the long-term public discourse around nuclear power in Belgium following the Three Mile Island, Chernobyl, and Fukushima accidents. The research analyzes how these events caused a “dislocation” in the national conversation, creating ruptures in policy and public trust, and traces the subsequent “repair” efforts by political and industrial actors to rebuild the case for nuclear energy. The work provides a detailed case study of how societies process technological risk and attempt to reconstruct a stable policy path after major shocks.
Why it might matter to you:
For anyone involved in energy policy or public procurement, this research offers a framework for understanding the lifecycle of a major technological controversy. It highlights how the arguments and narratives that succeed in stabilizing policy after a crisis are constructed, which is crucial for anticipating long-term public and political acceptance of energy infrastructure. The Belgian case provides a comparative lens for assessing the durability of energy strategies in the face of inevitable external shocks.
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