VIENNA - Most people back the use of existing nuclear power plants but are against building new reactors as some states are considering, a survey conducted in 18 countries for the UN nuclear watchdog showed on Wednesday.
The survey, commissioned by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which is charged with promoting nuclear energy, showed 62 percent of the roughly 18,000 respondents said existing nuclear facilities should continue to be used while 59 percent were opposed to building new plants.
Its release comes two weeks after British Prime Minister Tony Blair put nuclear power back on the agenda by launching a review of his country's energy policy, pressured by booming oil and gas prices and global warming.
"While majorities of citizens generally support the continued use of existing nuclear reactors, most people do not favour the building of new nuclear plants," the survey, conducted by GlobeScan Inc., said.
The countries surveyed included the world's richest nations, such as the United States, Britain, France, and Japan, and less developed states like Cameroon, Jordan, Morocco and Indonesia.
It did not, however, include Austria, where the IAEA is based, a staunch opponent of nuclear power.
"We decided to focus on countries that have a big nuclear programme," IAEA spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.
Greenpeace said the survey's results showed people saw nuclear energy as dangerous.
"It shows that no matter how much money the industry tries to throw at this, the majority of people still believe that nuclear is dirty, decrepit and dangerous," Greenpeace nuclear analyst William Peden told Reuters.
REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
