A wide application of the geothermal energy is hampered by not only the
economic and technological problems, which remain though the main ones, but
also by insufficient awareness of this kind of the geoenergy by decision-makers
and public. Furthermore, the exploitation of the geothermal energy in some
places causes the environmental problems, including the psychological
environmental discomfort. Therefore, the active communication to the public
and decision-makers remains a very important issue. As an example, the
operation of the only geothermal plant in Lithuania was brought under serious
risk recently. The activities related to the geological disposal of the radioactive
wastes (GDRW) count almost half a century. Yet, there is no disposal site
operating in the world so far. The main factor, besides to technological
problems, is the negative public acceptance of the options, which, in a way,
was the reaction of the public to PR mistakes. During the recent years GDRW
projects considerably progressed in some countries. The break-through was
achieved mainly by overcoming the public opposition by extensive involvement
of the stakeholders into the all stages of the GDRW activities. Lithuania faces
the same problems related to RW management in the country. The overview of
the experience, both negative and positive, of different countries in stakeholder
involvement is summarised in the presentation, including experience gained in
Lithuania.
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