# Presentation: 442327

- Ann S. Bisconti, PhD
- Bisconti Research, Inc.
- ann@bisconti.com

**New Opinion Climate **
**For Nuclear Energy **
**And Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP)****       **

## Buzz: Nuclear Energy is “Cool”

## Converging Factors

**Energy**
**Supply**

**Oil and **
**Gas Costs**

**Geopolitical **
**Consequences**

**Climate **
**Change/**
**Clean Air**

**Energy **
**Demand**

##   23-Year Trends Show Big Change 

- Bisconti Research national public opinion surveys:
- 1,000 U.S. adults age 18+
- Margin of error plus or minus 3 percentage points

**68% Favor Use of Nuclear Energy*****(Trend 1983-2006, Annual Averages)***

## The Buzz: Heard About in Past Year

## Nuclear Power in the News

**Nuclear Power in the News**

## Nuclear Power in the News

**Nuclear Power in the News**

## Supporters EngagedNationally and Locally

## Five Steps of Support for New Plants

-     **Important **
**    ****for our **
**     ****energy **
**  ****future**
**86%**

**      ****Prepare**
**         ****to build**
**77%**

-       **Definitely**** **
**        ****build**** **
**         **
**61%**

-  **Accept **
**new **
**       ****reactors**
**         ****at nearest**
** ****plant**
**73%**

-       **Renew **
**         ****licenses**
** ****84%**

## BBC Poll, June 2006: % Favor Building New Nuclear Power Plants    

**U.S. 63%**

## BBC Poll, June 2006:Percent Concerned About Global Energy Issues

## Broad Support for GNEP Concept

**Broad Support for GNEP Concept**

- 	“*Would you approve or disapprove of a U.S. initiative to collaborate with other nations that use commercial nuclear energy to develop technologies for recycling used nuclear fuel and reducing radioactive waste?”   *
- 		Approve		77
- 		Disapprove		20
- 		(Don’t know)	 3
- 					Bisconti Research, March 2006

## Focus Groups on GNEPCommunications

-  10 focus groups in April-May 2006
-  Reactions to GNEP concepts and plans
-  Perceived benefits
-  Language barriers
-  Questions

## GNEP MessagesPercent Ranked First or Second   

-  Reduce reliance on fossil fuels		71
-  Greenhouse gases/global warming	46
-  Good use of waste for energy		31
-  Helps developing nations			25
-  Reduces waste				21
-  U.S. technology leadership		 8

## GNEP Benefits Perceived

-  Less global reliance on fossil fuels:
- Less conflict, global stability
- Abundant energy, better quality of life for everyone, education, health, water, improve economy, alleviate poverty
- Healthier environment
-  Control misuse of weapons
-  Reduce waste—good use

## What is that?

-   Nuclear fuel cycle
-  Closed fuel cycle
-  Cradle-to-grave leasing
-  Non-proliferation
-  Proliferation-resistance
-  Transuranics
-  Fission
-  IAEA

## How do we get from here to there? 

-  Today: 103 nuclear power plants in U.S. today
- 1 typical nuclear power plant provides enough electricity for city like Seattle or Boston
-  Tomorrow: Steps toward new plants under way
- Community expressions of support
-  Future: advanced technology, GNEP collaboration

## What about other sources?

-  We need all our energy sources
-  The federal government is developing clean fossil fuels, renewable energy, energy efficiency
-  Nuclear energy because:  clean air energy, reliable, affordable, large-scale
- Future transportation (hydrogen), water (desalination)

##  Safety First