Public communication program before and after Fukushima accident. Mr. Pricha Karasuddhi Technical Advisor

Transcription

1 Public communication program before and after Fukushima accident Mr. Pricha Karasuddhi Technical Advisor Nuclear Power Program Development Office (NPPDO) Ministry of Energy, Thailand Presented at IAEA on January 24, 2012

2 Summary of Pre Project Activity Phase: Public Communication and Public Participation (SC5) Public information program to promote nuclear energy is being developed by Sub Committee and EGAT s working group on Public Communication. TV/Radio ad campaigns (including use of recognized Thai personalities on talk shows, etc), mailings (e.g., with electric bills), websites and newspaper are considered as the effective media tools to communicate with the public. The program contents include the benefits of providing future electrical generation, such as economic benefits (competitive cost of electricity), reduced green house gas emissions, and greater security of supply. In the light of the critical need to convince the Local population, the regulator of Electricity Generation is establishing an Energy Fund for the benefit of people living around the NPP. With this arrangement, they would benefit from a reduced, or perhaps no, charge for their electricity, or other benefits could be for local community improvement projects.

3 Progress of Nuclear Development Program SC5: Sub-committee onpublic Communication and Public Acceptance 1 program: Conducted 8 seminars in Bangkok and provinces : dissemination of NPP knowledge programs: - public communications, - knowledge dissemination (more communities, housewife, public sectors etc.) -Mass medias, radio, website - Training program development Programs: - Knowledge dissemination to children, young blood, communities surrounded candidate sites etc. - Internal communication - Networking development

4 Progress of Nuclear Development Program SC5: Sub-committee onpublic Communication and Public Acceptance Summary of Finding from Seminars in 2008 Most frequently asked questions (FAQ) can be combined into 4 major groups: Topics FAQ 1 necessity of having nuclear power plant in thailand Other alternative or renewable energy sources 2 Economic benefit of having nuclear power plant in Thailand Costly construction Fuel cost 3 Readiness of having nuclear power plant in Thailand safety Carelessness Corruption 4 Public Acceptance Fear of explosion/ Radiation Anxiety NIMBY* * NIMBY = not in my back yard 4

5 Knowledge Dissemination and Public Participation Programs Methods of presentation are basically lecture, debate with distributed print and audio-visual media. Participants are selected from Bangkok, Pathum Thani and regional provinces of Khonkaen, Trat, Nakorn Sawan, Lampang, Chonburi, and Surat Thani. Major themes lied in 4 issues consisted of domestic and global electricity context, fuel diversification policy, global warming and environmental concerns, and nuclear energy. In phase 1, there are various programs under 2 frameworks which are: 1) Promotion of Public Understanding and Participation Program on Nuclear Law (2010) (Supportive program to Legal framework) 2) Programs under Public Communication and Participation Framework

6 Public Opinion Surveys on Nuclear Power Plant General Public Opinion,Year 1 (2009): - 5,000 samples in 3 preferred sites area, 500 Academic and educational institutes and 50 samples in other countries; Summary of surveys are: Agree 29% Disagree 71% Year 2 (2010): Surveys of Public Opinion Surround Potential sites, - This program was conducted by consultant company for EGAT. The surveys were on 6 target groups of local public offices, non-profit organizations, and academic institutes. Total samples of 21,575 were interviewed with the following results: Disagree Agree Disagree 76% 64% Disagree Agree 6๘% Agree 36% 32% 24% Having the NPP in Thailand Having the NPP in their province Having the NPP in their communities

7 Public Network Initiative Programs Media, Public and Private Organizations, and Housewife (2009) Public and Private Organizations (2009) Local Media and Communities (2010) Social and Economic Relation and Housewife Groups (2010) Special Communication and General Public Network (2010) Media Production and Dissemination Nuclear Power Knowledge (2009) Nuclear Knowledge (2009) NPPDO Website Development (2009) Publishing on Nuclear Power (2010) Television Media (2010) Exhibition Kids (2010) Media Distribution and Activities (2010)

8 General Programs Situation Monitoring on Nuclear Power Program (2010) - Public news, information, attitudes and opinions were clipped, tracked and analyzed for strategic planning. Public Communication Management (2010) Internal Communication Activities and Programs As part of Feasibility Study, a survey was conducted on public s knowledge and receptiveness to the use of nuclear power. The survey assessed respondent s views on nuclear power in general (was generally favorable), and in their local communities (was not as favorable). It assessed knowledge of, and support for, both conventional and nuclear electrical generating facilities. Respondent groupings included the administration boundaries in every region of Thailand; e.g., Municipality, Sub-district Administration Organization, Provincial Administration Organization, and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

9 Activities in Next Phase According to the NEPC resolution in April 2011, it is decided to extend nuclear power development program for 3 years ( ). EPPO will revise readiness report and revise he public relation and media strategies in order to gain nuclear power more public acceptance. During the three years delay, communication with public will be emphasized. Target groups include locals near plant, general public, housewives, government organizations, political organizations, economic organizations, religious organizations, media, educational institute, and private organizations. Strategies must include tactics for getting to target groups and tactics for building supporting organizations that will help spread truths and persuade public.

10 Summary of Assistance Being Provided AssistanceRegarding Nuclear Power Planning IAEA: - THA 4015 Technical Support for Upgrading/Establishment of Infrastructure for Introduction of Nuclear Power France: - Legal cooperation with France Nuclear International Agency - Public communication Japan, Korea, China: : - Public communication - Human resources development

11 Public communication program after Fukushima accident - Revised PDP 2010 After FUKUSHIMA Accident - 4x1000 Mwe NPP in and Promote public communication and participation

12 Public relations and Public Acceptance Since there is three years delay on the nuclear power plant project, NPPDO will revise readiness report and revise the public relation and media strategies in order to gain nuclear power more public acceptance. These strategies should include educating public about nuclear energy and providing public with information on the project in Thailand. During the three years delay, communication with public will be emphasized. Target groups include locals near plant, general public, housewives, government organizations, political organizations, economic organizations, religious organizations, media, educational institute, and private organizations. Strategies must include tactics for getting to target groups and tactics for building supporting organizations that will help spread truths and persuade public. Information given out should not be complex and employ easy language. Public acceptance of nuclear power plant project still remains an important issue. Educating public with truthful and transparent information on nuclear issue is essential to solving this problem. Currently, public still lack knowledge and understanding of nuclear power and are worried about safety of using nuclear power. 12

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