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NEWTON CENTRE, Massachusetts, US, June 7, 2006
(Refocus Weekly)
The use of more wind and solar energy should be
explored before the U.S. considers building more nuclear reactors,
according to 88% of Americans in a national poll.
“Despite a major sales push by the Bush administration and the
electrical utility industry, nuclear power is viewed in a deeply
skeptical way by a ‘strong and strikingly bipartisan majority’ of
Americans,” according to the survey conducted by Opinion Research
for the non-profit think tank, Civil Society Institute. The survey
found that respondents favour developing renewables (including the
increased use of conservation) because solar and wind power can be
delivered more rapidly than nuclear.
More conservation was the first step for 88% of the 1,016 telephone
interviews conducted among adults living in private homes in the
continental U.S. from May 18 to 21. Solar power was selected by 86%
(including 57% who said ‘definitely yes’) while wind was the first
step for 81% (including 53% who said ‘definitely yes’).
Three out of four (75%) would be concerned if “nuclear power was
focused on at the expense of renewable, clean and safe alternative
energy solutions” such as solar and wind while, significantly, 41%
said that they would be ‘definitely concerned’ if nuclear was
allowed to eclipse renewables. Over three-fifths (62%) agree that
global warming is happening now and there is a need for emphasis on
“immediate and near-term solutions that will deliver fast results”
such as solar and wind.
Three in five (58%) think the “highest priority should be put on
alternative energy solutions that fit the region, both in terms of
the scale of the solution and how it takes advantage of the
opportunities presented by the region in question.” Examples of such
regional solutions include hydroelectric dams in the Pacific
Northwest and windfarms along the eastern coast “to take advantage
of ocean breezes.”
“Once again, Americans are ‘leading their leaders’ and weighing in
solidly behind renewable and clean technologies,” says Pam Solo of
the Civil Society Institute. “The reality is that concerns about
safety and radioactive wastes will continue to plague the nuclear
industry.”
“For decades, our elected officials and corporate leaders have
deferred solving our energy problems; now facing another extending
crisis, it is long past time to take advantage of technologies that
are clean, renewable and that can help rescue the environment from
human-induced climate change,” he adds.
“The bottom line is that Americans want to hear more about
conservation, solar and wind power, which they view as credible
steps that can be taken now to deal with the energy crisis and
global warming,” adds Wayne Russum of Opinion Research. “These
survey findings suggest that Americans in general - and politically
active Americans more specifically - are unlikely to be persuaded by
arguments that nuclear power is a credible solution to today’s
energy crisis and climate change.”
Women are slightly more in favour of solar, wind and conservation
than men, and independents are slightly more likely to favour
alternatives than liberals or conservatives. As heating costs rise,
44% say they are more likely now than last year to consider
retrofitting their home to use solar, wind or other renewable
energy, while 40% says there has been no change in their likelihood
to do this.
The non-profit non-partisan Civil Society Institute is a think tank
that has conducted surveys since 2003 on energy issues, including
global warming, renewable energy and vehicle fuel-efficiency
standards.
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