Public sentiment for nuclear energy affects project viability and regulatory progress
Regulatory reform and project-level viability is tied to overall public support for nuclear power.
Details
Core information and root causes
Regulatory reform and project-level viability is tied to overall public support for nuclear power, and public sentiment for nuclear energy varies globally. A 2025 Gallup poll shows growing American support for nuclear development (61% at the time of publication)
Opinion is highly tied to high-profile nuclear incidents:
“Public opinion turned against nuclear power in Germany following the 1986 Chernobyl accident, and following the 2011 Fukushima disaster most polled Germans supported phasing out nuclear power. Italy shut down all its nuclear reactors after Chernobyl, and a referendum to reintroduce them in 2011 (shortly after the Fukushima disaster) was voted down with 94% of the vote. While an improved regulatory framework for nuclear power is possible, it would require the public to accept significantly relaxed safety requirements.” — Brian Potter, Institute for Progress (IFP)1
Efforts
Current initiatives and solutions
Think Tanks & Advocacy
- Funding: Funded by Founder’s Pledge for “Building a self-sustaining pro-nuclear grassroots movement”