Tracking the nuclear 'mood' in the United States: Introducing a long term measure of public opinion about nuclear energy using aggregate survey data. (October 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gupta, Kuhika; Nowlin, Matthew C.; Ripberger, Joseph T.; Jenkins-Smith, Hank C.; Silva, Carol L.
• Is Part Of: Energy policy. Volume 133(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-10
• Subjects: Energy policy -- Periodicals; Politique énergétique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 333.79
• DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.110888
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4215

Abstract

Abstract: This study uses aggregate polling data to develop and validate a new measure of public support for nuclear energy that allows for the identification of factors that influence the evolution of opinion over relatively long periods of time. In addition to focusing events, such as a significant accident, this new measure shows that energy security risk has consistently driven support for nuclear energy in the US. When oil, gas, and coal were relatively expensive and scarce, support for nuclear energy went up, and when they were relatively inexpensive and abundant, it fell. This finding adds important nuance to our understanding of public support for nuclear energy in the past, and the prospects for a new "nuclear renaissance" in the future1. Highlights: U.S. public opinion on nuclear energy has evolved in the last five decades. The Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents had large negative effects on opinion. The Fukushima accident had a negative effect, but it was less significant and not immediate. Energy security risk had a positive effect on opinion, counterbalancing the effects of accidents.