| Public support for nuclear at record levels in USA | | Print | |
|
Public support for the continued use of nuclear energy in the US now stands at a record high of 70% and shows a continued upwards trend, according to a new opinion poll. The poll also indicated that 85% of respondents approve of renewing licences at US nuclear power plants that continue to meet federal safety standards and 58% of respondents said the country should definitely build more nuclear plants. The support for nuclear nationwide is three percent higher than shown in a similar poll conducted in October 2004. In terms of the importance of nuclear energy for meeting US electricity needs in the years ahead, 83% of respondents said nuclear would be important while 13% said not important. When asked what the benefits of nuclear power were in their opinion, 55% said clean air, 51% said efficiency, and 50% said reliability. The overwhelming majority also felt that nuclear energy was safe. This represents a huge turn round from the low point of public opinion in 1983. On the issue of nuclear waste 71% also said that the federal government should continue to develop the spend fuel repository at Yucca mountain as long as it meets US Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations. |
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
