Impact of the Fukushima Events on Public Preferences and Perceptions in the United States, 2011

Abstract

The CRESP 2011 post-Fukushima survey included a cell phone component of 25 % in order to avoid potential bias associated with landline only surveys. Sample sizes for the six site-specific studies (Hanford, Idaho, Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, Savannah, WIPP) were 180 (a total of 1,080 respondents), and the national sample size was 850.

Preferences for new nuclear-related activities in respondents’ host states dropped from 48 % in 2010 to 33 % in 2011. Everyone of the sites showed a substantial decrease. Almost 60 % of national respondents and 73 % site-specific ones favored nuclear power. However, two-thirds of these are more worried about nuclear power than before the events in Japan (see below). Between 2010 and 2011, the proportions favoring greater reliance on nuclear power for electrical energy decreased approximately 15 %, whereas the proportion favoring natural gas increased almost 10 %. Concerns about safety and exposures, and associated emotions and feelings were the strongest correlates of support for nuclear technology.

In 2010, trust of DOE and other responsible parties averaged about 70 % for federal agencies and contractors. One year later, after Fukushima, trust fell approximately 10 %. Trust was the strongest or second strongest correlate of many of the results, a stronger role than in the earlier surveys.

A new important dynamic in the 2011 data is the appearance of a large group (43 % of respondents) that supports nuclear energy and new nuclear-related facilities but has become more equivocal in their support after Fukushima. This group disproportionately is concerned about global climate change and trusts DOE, but that trust is lukewarm. This group is an important one to address if the DOE, NRC, and other pro-nuclear industry groups want to maintain support for nuclear energy. Without continuing support from this group, nuclear energy would have preference levels similar to coal and oil.