Risk perceptions of an alleged CO2 leak at a carbon sequestration site

In January 2011 a local farm couple from Canada held a press conference claiming that carbon dioxide (CO2) had leaked from a carbon sequestration project onto their land. This was the first public allegation of a leak from a carbon sequestration site and provides an opportunity to examine how a negative event can impact the perceptions of emerging technologies. A total of 76 in-depth interviews were held with residents in two communities including: (1) Weyburn, Saskatchewan, the location where the allegations of a leak were made; and (2) Priddis, Alberta, the location of a proposed carbon sequestration research project that was halted due to local concerns. Results demonstrate that communities perceived the allegations differently. Most participants who lived in the Weyburn area were not concerned about the allegations of a CO2 leak. Some residents from Priddis were concerned about CO2 leaks and the allegations made in Weyburn ultimately became a factor in the cancellation of the proposed project. This study compares and contrasts the differences in community perspectives, provides recommendations for risk communicators and ultimately considers the influence of early controversy on the development of emerging energy technologies.