Descriptive and Informative Abstract

Example of Descriptive Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that nuclear power plants adversely affect community growth and residential property values in nearby municipalities.  Total assessed real property values from 1960 to 1976 for 64 municipalities and market sales data from 1975 to 1977 on 540 single-family dwellings formed the data base.  The data were for residential property within 20 miles of four nuclear power plants in the northeastern United States: Pilgrim in Massachusetts, Millstone in Connecticut, Oyster Creek in New Jersey, and R.E. Ginna in New York.

Example of Informative Abstract

This study tested the hypothesis that nuclear power plants adversely affect community growth and residential property values in nearby municipalities.  Total assessed real property values from 1960 to 1976 for 64 municipalities and market sales data from 1975 to 1977 on 540 single-family dwellings formed the data base.  The data were for residential property within 20 miles for four nuclear power plants in the northeastern United States: Pilgrim in Massachusetts, Millstone in Conneticut, Oyster Creek in New Jersey and R.E. Ginna in New York.

Analysis of the time series data showed that the average annual growth rates of total assessed values, in real terms, were inversely related to distances from the plants, and that growth in sales for the years following plant construction were higher than for the years before plant construction, with the largest growth rate observed in the host municipalities.  Multiple regression analysis of the cross-section data explained about 80% of the variation in housing prices.  The plants exerted no influence on the price of housing, so the original hypothesis is rejected.  Most people in the areas studied apparently have little fear over plant-related health and safety factors, and the presence of a plant does not in itself influence residential location decisions.  Lower tax rates in host municipalities may even encourage development.

Prepared by: Division of Health, Siting and Waste Management,  Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research.