A recent study found that residents living closest to nuclear power plants view them favorably, and instead of saying Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY), they understand the benefits nuclear plants bring to communities and would welcome new reactors in their neighborhoods.
The biennial survey done by Bisconti Research gathered the opinions of 910 full-time residents within a 10-mile radius of nearly all nuclear power plants in the U.S., excluding households with people who work at a nuclear power plant due to their vested interest.
The study finds that support for nuclear energy is “wide and deep.” 91 percent of respondents, spanning demographic groups, have a favorable impression of the nearby plant, which is consistent with the trends seen in these national surveys since they began in 2005.
The survey finds that neighbors believe that nuclear power plants in their communities provide good jobs for local people and help the local economy—and the vast majority of respondents describe the plant as a good neighbor.
This favorability comes from nuclear energy’s unique value proposition. Plants provide jobs, tax revenue, and reliable, affordable, clean power. They also use a fraction of land compared to other energy sources.
People not only like existing nuclear energy—they are also looking toward more nuclear power on the horizon. A very large majority of people surveyed said that a new reactor would be acceptable at the site of the nearest nuclear power plant. Even more would find advanced nuclear technology like a Small Modular Reactor (SMR) acceptable, which is set to deploy in the coming years. These new reactors will come in all sizes, makes and models—tailoring to specific community needs and pairing perfectly with intermittent sources like wind and solar. With a diversity of applications, advanced nuclear can help meet clean energy goals and make electricity more accessible for all.
Consensus is also shown by most neighbors recognizing that the majority of the community supports the local plant, and almost everyone expressed confidence in the company that operates the power plant to do so safely. Environmental protection and community involvement are important goals of nuclear power plant operations in the U.S., and the companies also received high marks for meeting those objectives.
Nearly all plant neighbors, 96 percent, as well as 86 percent of the public, believe that nuclear energy will be important in meeting the nation’s electricity needs.
Policy support for new nuclear is increasing across the states, and to show the shift in public perception, four communities competed to host Wyoming’s first advanced reactor. For communities exploring advanced nuclear in their transitions to clean energy, NEI recently published a report detailing Frequently Asked Questions from community stakeholders.
Noting the increase in support the industry is seeing from communities, NEI President and Chief Executive Officer Maria Korsnick said: "It's not so much, not in my back yard—but please in my back yard!”