The effect of monitoring complexity on stakeholder acceptance of CO2 geological storage projects in the US gulf coast region

• Published in: Frontiers in Marine Science Vol. 10
• Main Authors: Atkinson, Lucy, Dankel, Dorothy J., Romanak, Katherine D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Frontiers Research Foundation 16.01.2024; Frontiers Media SA; Frontiers Media S.A
• Subjects: Algorithms; audience segmentation; Carbon capture and storage; Carbon dioxide; Carbon sequestration; CCS; Climate change; Cognition; Emissions; Environmental conditions; Environmental justice; Environmental monitoring; Environmental protection; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Environmental stewardship; Gases; GENERAL AND MISCELLANEOUS; Geology; Infrastructure; Monitoring; Offshore; Respiration; Scientists; stakeholder acceptance; Stakeholders; Storage; technology acceptance; Louisiana; Gulf of Mexico; United States > US; Europe; Texas
• ISSN: 2296-7745; 2296-7745
• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2023.1154543

Environmental monitoring at geologic CO 2 storage sites is required by regulations for the purposes of environmental protection and emissions accounting in the case of leakage to surface. However, another very important goal of environmental monitoring is to assure stakeholders that the project is monitored for safety and effectiveness. With current efforts to optimize monitoring for cost-effectiveness, the question remains: will optimization of monitoring approaches degrade stakeholder assurance, or do heavily-instrumented sites communicate higher risk to a stakeholder? We report the results of a stakeholder survey in Gulf Coast states of the US where carbon capture and storage (CCS) is developing quickly. We rely on a 2 by 2 factorial experiment in which we manipulate message complexity (complex v. simple) and social norm (support from scientists v. support from community members). Subjects were randomly assigned to one of four conditions: 1) complex message with scientist support; 2) complex message with community member support; 3) simple message with scientist support; or 4) simple message with community member support. In addition to the experimental stimuli, subjects were also asked about their need for cognition, attitudes toward science and scientists, attitudes about climate change and support for carbon capture and storage (CCS). Our sample is drawn from residents in states bordering the western Gulf of Mexico (Texas, Louisiana, Florida) where CO 2 geologic storage is being planned both onshore and offshore. The results offer important implications for public outreach efforts to key stakeholders.