This paper empirically examines whether proximity to power plants and work-related experience in the wind, coal, and nuclear energy sectors are correlated with the individual support for the expansion of corresponding regional power plants. The data for this analysis stem from a large-scale computer-based survey among more than 3700 citizens in Germany. The econometric analysis with binary and ordered probit models reveals significantly positive correlations between work-related experience in a specific energy sector and the support for the regional expansion of the corresponding power plants, whereby work-related experience in the coal and nuclear energy sectors is of particular relevance. In addition, our estimation results show a significantly positive correlation between proximity to wind turbines and the support for the regional expansion of wind turbines, but no clear relationship for proximity regarding coal and nuclear power plants. We discuss several energy policy implications. For example, it is extremely important to accompany energy transition measures with structural change measures to take into account the economic dependencies of the working force.
@article{doi:10.17170/kobra-2024062010371,
author ={Kanberger, Elke Dorothea and Luigs, Theresa and Ziegler, Andreas},
title ={The relevance of proximity and work-related experience for the individual support for the expansion of power plants: An empirical analysis of wind, coal, and nuclear energy},
keywords ={330 and 333 and Kraftwerk and Berufserfahrung and Kohlekraftwerk and Kernkraftwerk and Windenergie and Energiewende},
copyright ={http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/},
language ={en},
journal ={Energy Policy},
year ={2024-06-14}
}