Differences in public perceptions of geothermal energy based on EGS technology in Korea after the Pohang earthquake: National vs. local

Abstract

This study investigated the public perception differences about geothermal power generation at the national and local levels after the Pohang earthquake that occurred on November 15, 2017. The media content analysis results indicated that the previously positive media framing based on environment and technology drastically changed to a negative framing based on risk after the earthquake. The survey data showed that the geothermal energy perception of the local sample was significantly more negative than that of the national sample. Proximity to the epicenter of the earthquake was negatively correlated with the public preference of geothermal energy. The energy source preferences among local residents showed that they placed geothermal power plants and nuclear power plants in the same category. In terms of risk, Pohang residents seemed to associate geothermal power plants with nuclear power plants.