A rating method first identifies and evaluates the influence of various proponents in a, siting controversy and then combines these strength measures into an overall measure of the degree of acceptance of a proposed power plant by the community. The operating strength, OS, of an individual or group relevant to the controversy is defined to be the product of its relative significance, RS, or influence and its value judgment, VJ. That is, OSi = RSi × VJi, where i refers to the specific subject being analyzed. The function VJi can take on positive values (supporting the proposed plant) or negative values (opposing). The balance of forces supporting or opposing the plant is summarized by a single quantity, the total operating strength of the community, The above methodology was applied to a specific recent controversy. Citizen groups were found to be strongly opposed to the proposed plant, as expected, while the occupational groups strongly favored it. Influential individuals were, on balance, only slightly opposed to the project. The general public was strongly accepting of the plant and was decisive in causing the total operating strength of the community, OSTOT, be favorable to the power plant.