In this study, we analyzed public attitude toward HV-PTL and classified people into four subgroups based on their common characteristics using latent class models. Furthermore, using the CVM, we estimated the public WTP for the conversion of overhead transmission lines to underground cables, focusing on the differences between the identified subgroups. According to empirical analysis, people in South Korea can be classified into four classes based on the perceived necessity for residents’ participation in the decision-making process, perceived health risk, and perceived property loss risk. This study contributes to the understanding of scholars and policymakers of the linkage between public attitudes toward HV-PTL and overhead-to-underground conversion.
DOI: 10.22982/NEXTWP.2022.9.1
Abstract
The expansion and improvement of high-voltage power transmission lines (HV-PTL) are critical and unavoidable energy concerns, causing potential public conflict. However, to date, there have not been sufficient discussions on this topic in South Korea. In this study, we analyzed public attitude toward HV-PTL and classified people into four subgroups based on their common characteristics using latent class models. Furthermore, using the contingent valuation method (CVM), we estimated the public willingness to pay (WTP) for the conversion of overhead transmission lines to underground cables, focusing on the differences between the identified subgroups. According to empirical analysis, people in South Korea can be classified into four classes based on the perceived necessity for residents’ participation in the decision-making process, perceived health risk, and perceived property loss risk. This study contributes to the understanding of scholars and policymakers of the linkage between public attitudes toward HV-PTL and overhead-to-underground conversion.