Geothermal Development and the Media
- Key words
- General; Public Information
- Location
- Crater Lake, Oregon
- Conference
- Geothermal Resources Council Transactions
- Year
- 1990
- Session
- Public outreach; Environmental aspects
- Language
- English
Abstract
The use of geothermal energy, particularly for power generation, is usually poorly understood by the large majority of the populace. Unfamiliarity leads to mistrust, and in a nation with escalating environmental concerns, it can generate conflict. The news media commonly focus upon conflict and may even act as a catalyst to instigate controversy. In attempting to introduce geothermal exploration and the possibility of field development into a new area, it is prudent to facilitate public awareness. This paper is intended to illustrate the importance of effectively dealing with the news media and offers insights on avoidance of pitfalls by relating experiences of conducting geothermal exploration in Oregon.
Copyright 1990, Geothermal Resources Council. Readers who download papers from this site should honour the copyright of the original authors, and may not copy or distribute the work further without the permission of the original publisher.