Environmental News: Public in favour of nuclear power.
The nuclear industry is, on balance, favourably regarded by the public, according to an Ipsos MORI survey.
The survey carried out on behalf of the Nuclear Industry Association shows favourable opinion to have reached 35% compared to unfavourable opinion which is 26%. This represents a reversal of the position in December 2002, when favourable opinion was just 21% and unfavourable opinion 33%.
According to MORI, 'that was the public opinion background against which the Government framed the 2003 Energy White Paper which concluded that nuclear was "an unattractive option". This more favourable viewpoint is against a background of increasing familiarity with the industry in recent years.'
'This improved familiarity with the industry, and a recent more positive view of it has gone hand-in-hand with growing net support for replacement nuclear newbuild. This year's survey shows again the supporters of newbuild outweighing the opposers (36% support; 27% oppose).'