Public-private partnerships in the siting of hazardous waste facilities: the importance of trust

Abstract

As the need for hazardous waste management facilities becomes critical, several strategies including public-private partnership have been suggested and adopted by states to diffuse public opposition, and facilitate the siting of these facilities. Public-private partnership involves state ownership of the facility, and its operation by a private company. Proponents of this strategy contend that state ownership of facility and therefore an assumption of long-term liability would reduce public concerns regarding site maintenance. Also, that state or public ownership of the land on which the facility is built would thwart any local land use regulation that may be enacted to derail the site selection process. This paper, through a case study provides an analysis of this strategy, and surmised that factors identified in past research-public trust in institutions of government, in the perceived competence and integrity of the developer, and in the waste treatment technology to pose minimal risks to public health and the environment, are necessary to enhance the efficacy of public-private partnership in the siting of hazardous waste management facilities.