Public opinion and nuclear energy

Book · Sat Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6691728

Nealey, S M; Melber, B D; Rankin, W L

Public acceptance of a nuclear power plant (NPP) built near one's residence has declined steadily since the early 1970's. Following the TMI accident, this acceptance decreased dramatically. There has been some attitude rebound, however, and through mid-1981, the % who supported continued NPP construction in USA was 5 to 10% more than those in opposition. Men's and women's attitudes are different and were differentially affected by the TMI accident. Beliefs and attitudes about specific nuclear power issues were explored using questionnaires. Reactor-safety concerns were found to be more important than nuclear-waste concerns. Nuclear fuel-supply considerations are believed to be a major advantage of nuclear power. The public was largely unaware of the breeder-reactor concept. The US public generally does not favor selling US reactors abroad. It also greatly underestimates how long it takes to build a NPP. Most people believed solar-generated electricity is cheapest. The public has little information or has misinformation about some areas of nuclear power. (DLC)

• OSTI ID: 6691728
• Report Number(s): DOE/NBM-4014414; ON: TI84014414
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290600* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Nuclear Energy
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CONSTRUCTION
ENRICHED URANIUM REACTORS
INFORMATION
NUCLEAR FACILITIES
NUCLEAR POWER
NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS
POWER
POWER PLANTS
POWER REACTORS
PUBLIC INFORMATION
PUBLIC OPINION
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REACTOR ACCIDENTS
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THERMAL REACTORS
THREE MILE ISLAND-2 REACTOR
WATER COOLED REACTORS
WATER MODERATED REACTORS