Nuclear reactions: public attitudes and policies toward nuclear power

Journal Article · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Policy Stud. Rev.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-1338.1985.tb00013.x· OSTI ID:5049700

Freudenburg, W R; Baxter, R K

The declining public support for nuclear power has political costs. In the wake of the Three Mile Island accident, public trust in the nuclear industry has reached an all-time low. Recognition of this lack of trust sets up a counterweight to the industry pressures for relaxed regulation. The authors present the historical background behind the current debate, then summarize the available scientific survey data on the actual levels and trends in public attitudes. They find little reason for optimism. With the exception of gender, most demographic factors have only modest influence on nuclear power attitudes, which suggests that public uneasiness about the technology has become a fact of life. They conclude that a significant weakening of federal safety standards would not be consistent with public preferences. 49 references, 3 figures.

• Research Organization: Washington State Univ., Corvallis
• OSTI ID: 5049700
• Journal Information: Policy Stud. Rev.; (United States), Journal Name: Policy Stud. Rev.; (United States) Vol. 5:1; ISSN PSRWD
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
DEMOGRAPHY
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
INDUSTRY
INSTITUTIONAL FACTORS
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR INDUSTRY
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POLITICAL ASPECTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC OPINION
PUBLIC POLICY
REGULATIONS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STANDARDS
SURVEYS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS