Energy Attitudes: Polls Say that Americans Support Clean Energy - 2021

Nuclear Power Industry

Speiser and Hill reported in late 2021 that the world was watching to see whether leaders would bring forth ambitious climate plans at the United Nations’ COP26. To reach agreements and the conference’s goal of global net zero by mid-century, it has been acknowledged that we must rapidly transition away from oil and coal and invest in clean energy. The United States government issued statements conveying ambitious climate intentions. Ensuring we meet these goals requires support from the American people. In preparation, ecoAmerica (Speiser and Hill) researched the current perspectives of Americans on clean energy and other energy sources. In the fourth annual survey on this topic, the November 2021 American Climate Perspectives Survey indicates how sentiment has shifted from 2018 to today.

ecoAmerica’s survey finds notable shifts in understanding and support for several energy sources. The findings show strong support for clean energy coupled with the need for education on the energy-climate connection. The majority of Americans support wind and solar research and development (R&D), and nearly 3/5 Americans support next generation nuclear R&D. Support for nuclear energy has grown, especially among Democrats. However, nuclear waste disposal and health and safety concerns remain.

ecoAmerica’s study finds that American support for nuclear power has grown 10 points from 2018 to 2021 (here). Three years ago, 49% of Americans said they supported nuclear compared to 59% today. Republican support has remained steady over the four years. Independent support has shifted with just
about half of Independents supporting nuclear in 2018 and just over 3 in 5 supporting nuclear in 2021 (61%). Steady growth unfolds for Democrats, with support consistently increasing between 2018 and 2021. In 2021, 60% of Democrats report support for nuclear energy, compared to 37% in 2018.

Compared to other demographic groups, males report the highest level of support for nuclear energy in the US. Nearly 3 in 4 males (72%) say they either strongly or somewhat support nuclear power. Adults over 60 report more support than other age groups. 69% of adults >60 support nuclear energy compared to 60% of adults between 30-44, 57% of adults between 18-29, and 54% of adults between 45-60. The least supportive demographic surveyed are females — less than half (47%) support nuclear power.

Three quarters (75%) of Americans report that they are concerned about nuclear waste disposal, including 50% who say waste disposal concerns them “a lot” and 25% who say it makes them somewhat concerned. Health and safety concerns are reported by 73% of Americans, including 50% who say health
and safety concerns them “a lot” and 23% who say “somewhat.” Other concerns include 68% of Americans reporting concern with security and weaponization, 63% reporting concern about overpopulation, and 58% reporting concern about the cost of nuclear energy.

While waste disposal and health and safety are the top concerns regarding nuclear energy among Americans, findings show notable decreases since 2018. Concerns about waste disposal dropped 9 points nationally from 84% of Americans in 2018 reporting concern to 75% in 2021. Among Democrats and
Independents, concern dropped 10 points from 92% to 82% and 85% to 75% respectively. Republican concern dropped 8 points from 78% to 70%. [For more on why the concerns for nuclear "waste" has dropped, Dr. Conca provides three short video in explaining that nuclear waste is actually "used nuclear fuel" (more)].

As for health and safety, American concern has decreased 7 points from 80% in 2018 to 73% in 2021. Democrat and Independent concerns dropped 10 points from 88% to 78% and 84% to 74% respectively. Concern has varied over the past four years for Republicans — at 67% in 2018, 72% in 2019, 72% in 2020, and 65% in 2021. [For more on the various perceived issues of nuclear power, see (here)].

[See the original article for a full coverage and the interesting graphs]


Citation: Speiser, M., Hill, A. N. (November, 2021). American Climate Perspectives Survey 2021. Energy Attitudes: Americans Support Clean
Energy. ecoAmerica. Washington, DC.(here)