One Year Post Fukushima, Americans Are Divided About the Risks of Nuclear Power
NEW YORK, March 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ – One year post-Fukushima and the nuclear disaster in Japan, American attitudes about nuclear energy have become polarized. The most recent results show a shift towards believing the risks outweigh the benefits, and now slightly more Americans believe the risks of nuclear energy outweigh the benefits (41% to 40%). In 2009 and 2011, the benefits of nuclear power outweighed the risks (44% to 34% in 2009 and 42% to 37% in 2011). Harris Poll research in 2011 was conducted before the disaster.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100517/NY06256LOGO)
These are some of the results of The Harris Poll of 2,056 adults surveyed online between February 6 and 13, 2012 by Harris Interactive
This research points to some very distinct geographic differences among Americans. Regional differences may be a reflection of familiarity. The South has the greatest concentration of nuclear power plants (almost twice as many as the East) and the highest percentage of adults who believe the benefits outweigh the risks (43%, compared to 33% in the East and 41% in the Midwest and West).
There is also a clear age divide as Baby Boomers (ages 48-66) and Matures (67 and older) are more likely to say benefits of nuclear power outweigh the risks than both Echo Boomers (ages 18-35) and Gen Xers (ages 36-47) are. Party preference is indicative of attitudes about nuclear power as well. Republicans are the most likely to believe the benefits outweigh the risks (51%) and Independents are more likely than Democrats to say the benefits outweigh the risks (43% among Independents and only 32% among Democrats). Democrats seem to be a large driver of the sentiment that risks outweigh benefits for nuclear.
These polarized attitudes are likely to continue as the economic and environmental impact of the Fukushima disaster becomes clear.
So What?
Fukushima has been a reminder to Americans about the impact nuclear energy can have on communities. As the lasting economic and environmental impact is revealed, American voters and policy makers are likely to have shifting opinions, said Sarah Simmons, Senior Research Executive and Industry Thought Leader. As America’s demand for inexpensive energy continues to grow, the nuclear industry, policy makers and regulators must focus on safety and transparency if they expect to gain the trust of Americans.
TABLE 1
BENEFITS VERSUS RISKS FOR VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES
"There are many sources of electric power used in the U.S. To the best of your knowledge, would you say the benefits of each source outweigh the risks or do you believe the risks outweigh the benefits?"
Base: All adults
----------------
BENEFITS OUTWEIGH RISKS (NET) Benefits strongly Benefits somewhat outweigh RISKS OUTWEIGH BENEFITS (NET) Risks somewhat outweigh Risks strongly outweigh
outweigh risks risks benefits benefits Not at all sure
---------------------------- ----------------- -------------------------- ---------------------------- ----------------------- ----------------------- ---------------
% % % % % % %
--- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Solar 2012 79 63 15 8 4 4 13
----- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 77 64 13 8 3 6 14
----------------------------- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 82 68 14 5 3 2 13
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Wind 2012 76 61 16 9 5 5 15
---- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 75 61 14 10 3 7 15
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 78 62 17 7 4 2 15
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Natural gas 2012 66 34 32 17 12 5 17
----------- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 64 31 34 17 11 6 18
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 66 30 36 14 11 3 20
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Geothermal 2012 53 32 21 10 6 4 37
---------- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 52 33 18 10 5 5 38
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 52 32 20 7 5 2 40
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Coal 2012 42 15 27 40 23 17 18
---- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 38 15 23 43 24 18 19
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 36 13 23 42 22 20 22
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Nuclear 2012 40 15 24 41 19 21 20
------- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 42 20 22 37 18 19 21
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 44 21 23 34 17 17 22
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Biomass 2012 30 13 17 12 8 4 58
------- ---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2011 30 14 17 12 7 6 57
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
2009 28 12 16 12 8 4 60
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding
TABLE 2
BENEFITS VERSUS RISKS FOR VARIOUS ENERGY SOURCES - By Generation and Region
"There are many sources of electric power used in the U.S. To the best of your knowledge, would you say the benefits of each source outweigh the risks or do you believe the risks outweigh the benefits?"
Percentage Saying "Benefits Outweigh Risks"
Base: All adults
----------------
Total Region Generation
----- ------ ----------
East Midwest South West Echo Gen X Baby Matures
Boomers (36-47) Boomers (67+)
(18-35) (48-66)
--- ------ ------
% % % % % % % % %
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Solar 79 78 74 80 83 75 74 83 84
----- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Wind 76 72 76 77 80 72 75 80 79
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Natural Gas 66 60 66 67 71 53 65 71 84
----------- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Geothermal 53 48 56 50 59 50 49 54 62
---------- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Coal 42 35 49 48 33 33 39 47 54
---- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Nuclear 40 33 41 43 41 34 34 43 53
------- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Biomass 30 28 32 29 33 31 31 32 24
------- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Methodology
This Harris Poll was conducted online within the United States between February 6 to 13, 2012 among 2,056 adults (aged 18 and over). Figures for age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, region and household income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents’ propensity to be online.
All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including sampling error, coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments. Therefore, Harris Interactive avoids the words “margin of error” as they are misleading. All that can be calculated are different possible sampling errors with different probabilities for pure, unweighted, random samples with 100% response rates. These are only theoretical because no published polls come close to this ideal.
Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in Harris Interactive surveys. The data have been weighted to reflect the composition of the adult population. Because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
The results of this Harris Poll may not be used in advertising, marketing or promotion without the prior written permission of Harris Interactive.
J41216
Q905, 910
The Harris Poll® #28, March 14, 2012
By Regina A. Corso, SVP, Harris Poll, Public Relations and Youth and Education Research, Harris Interactive
About Harris Interactive
Harris Interactive is one of the world’s leading custom market research firms, leveraging research, technology, and business acumen to transform relevant insight into actionable foresight. Known widely for the Harris Poll and for pioneering innovative research methodologies, Harris offers expertise in a wide range of industries including healthcare, technology, public affairs, energy, telecommunications, financial services, insurance, media, retail, restaurant, and consumer package goods. Serving clients in over 215 countries and territories through our North American and European offices and a network of independent market research firms, Harris specializes in delivering research solutions that help us – and our clients – stay ahead of what’s next. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.
Press Contact:
Corporate Communications
Harris Interactive
212-539-9600
press@harrisinteractive.net
SOURCE Harris Interactive
