1. U.S. Public Opinion September 2013
Ann Bisconti, PhD
President, Bisconti Research, Inc.
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2. Survey of U.S. Public Opinion September 5-15, 2013
1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults
Margin of error +/- 3 percentage points
Interviewed by landline and cell phone
Bisconti Research with Quest Global Research
Some 30-year trends, some new questions
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3. Topics Planning for the Future Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy
Spent Nuclear Fuel Rod Management
Information and Spokesperson Credibility
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4. Planning for the Future
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5. How Far Ahead Should America’s Electric Companies/Energy Policymakers be Planning to Ensure Well Balanced Energy Supply in the Future?
Electric Energy Companies Policymakers % % One year years years years More than 20 years Don’t know 1 1 53 59
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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6. Grade to the United States for Its Energy Planning
Think of grades from A to F where A is the top grade and F means failure. What grade—A through F—would you give to the United States for its energy planning? You can give any grade from A to F.
“I don’t think we’re looking out in the future long enough. I don’t think we have a plan.”
“I don’t think they think ahead and how it will affect the future.”
“They are not planning for anything, not even repairs.”
Average is C-
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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7. Primary Sources of Electricity in 10 Years
% Natural gas 40 Solar energy 33 Nuclear energy 28 Hydroelectric 27 Wind 26 Coal 19 Oil 16
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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8. Future Importance of Nuclear Energy
How important do you think nuclear energy will be in meeting this nation’s electricity needs in the years ahead? (%)
In the next decade, do you think that nuclear energy’s importance in meeting America’s electricity needs will…? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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9. Importance of U.S. Nuclear Industry Leadership in World Markets
75% agree: As countries around the world build new nuclear power plants, it is important for the U.S. nuclear industry to continue to play a leading role in world markets.
46% agree strongly—up from 39% in February
82% of Republicans, 75% of Democrats, and 74% of Independents agree
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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10. Importance of Considerations for Way Electricity is Produced (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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11. Association of Nuclear Energy with Considerations (%)
Do you associate nuclear energy a lot, a little, or not at all with…?
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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12. Nuclear Energy in Low-Carbon Mix (%)
85% agree: We should take advantage of all low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy, to produce the electricity we need while limiting greenhouse gas emissions.
% Agree
Men 84
Women 86
South 87
Northeast 84
Midwest 87
West 82
% Agree
Republicans 87
Independents 85
Democrats 88
Age:
35 to 49 86
50+ 83
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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13. Nuclear Energy in Low-Carbon Mix
If one of these energy sources had great potential as a climate change solution by producing a large amount of low-carbon electricity reliably around the clock, how much should that source be emphasized in our nation’s energy mix? (%)
And if you knew that nuclear energy is a climate change solution because it produces low-carbon electricity reliably around the clock, how much would you say that nuclear energy should be emphasized in our nation’s energy mix…? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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14. Attitudes Toward Nuclear Energy
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15. U.S. Public Now More Favorable to Nuclear Energy
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States?
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research
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16. Majorities of All Subgroups Favor Nuclear Energy (%)
Men 75
Women 64
South 75
Northeast 69
Midwest 68
West 61
Republicans 76
Independents 71
Democrats 64
Age: 18 to 34 70
35 to 49 71
50+ 68
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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17. Many Women Are Fence-Sitters
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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18. A majority of Americans (69%) favor nuclear energy
Perception Gap
Do you think the majority of people in your community favor or oppose the use of nuclear energy? (%)
A majority of Americans (69%) favor nuclear energy
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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19. Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research
Percent Believe Majority of People In Their Community Favor Nuclear Energy
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research
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20. Opinions about License Renewal and New Plants
Please tell me if you personally strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements. (%)
Agree 84 75 61
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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21. Acceptability of a New Reactor at the Nearest Nuclear Power Plant Site (%)
If a new power plant were needed to supply electricity, would it be acceptable to you or not acceptable to you to add a new reactor at the site of the nearest nuclear power plant that is already operating?
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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22. U.S. Public Now Sees Plants as Safer
Thinking about the nuclear power plants that are operating now, how safe do you regard these plants? Please think of a scale from "1" to "7," where "1" means very unsafe and "7" means very safe. The safer you think they are, the higher the number you would give.
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research
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23. Perceptions about Nuclear Power Plant Safety
Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements. (%)
Agree 83 77 70
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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24. Spent Nuclear Fuel Rod Management
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25. Opinions on Used Nuclear Fuel Management
On the subject of nuclear waste management and specifically the management of the spent nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power plants, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements? (%)
Agree 87 84 60
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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26. Which Organization Better for Managing a Nuclear Waste Facility?
Which type of organization do you believe would do a better job of managing a nuclear waste storage facility? (%)
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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27. Opinions on Used Nuclear Fuel Transportation
On the subject of nuclear waste management and specifically the management of the spent nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power plants, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements? (%)
Agree 67 78
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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28. Information and Spokesperson Credibility
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29. Topics Heard or Read in Past Year%
Safety of nuclear power plants 60
Clean air benefits of nuclear energy 53
The need to build more nuclear power plants in the U.S. 53
American nuclear power plants’ ability to safely withstand
earthquakes, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and other
extreme natural events 46
How America’s nuclear power plants are safe 45
Using nuclear energy to grow the economy and create jobs 45
Small nuclear power plant designs as a new technology option 31
A company’s decision to close a nuclear power plant 30
New nuclear power plant construction is underway in the United States 29
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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30. Percent Rated Excellent or Good as Source of Accurate and Reliable Information on Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy scientists and engineers 74
Safety, radiation, or environmental experts at a nuclear power plant
in this area 63
Medical professionals, such as doctors or radiation technicians 58
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission 55
The chief nuclear officer at a nuclear power plant in this area 49
Electric utilities 44
The Internet 43
Environmental groups 43
Antinuclear groups 25
Social media, such as Twitter, YouTube or Facebook 22
Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research, national public opinion, September 2013
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31. Observations
News about new Fukushima leaks at the time of the survey had no discernible impact on attitudes toward nuclear energy, which are broadly favorable—but fence-sitters predominate, nuclear still viewed as unpopular.
Vital to strengthen awareness of clean air/climate change role and new plants being built.
Communications should link to value public gives to long-range planning for a well-balanced energy supply.
U.S. nuclear industry leadership in world markets appeals to all demographics.
Support has swung toward independent federal authority to manage waste program, likely due to lack of confidence in federal government.

32. Language What we should support:
License renewal for nuclear power plants as long as they meet federal safety standards.
Final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel rods as long as it meets U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.
Nuclear waste transportation as long as secure containment and proper procedures are used.
Chief Nuclear Officer title may not communicate expertise; add “leading expert…”