Gallup: Majority of Americans Oppose Nuclear Energy for First Time

Since 1994 Americans have been in favor of the use of nuclear energy, however, a new Gallup survey released Friday shows the majority of Americans, for the first time, oppose nuclear energy by 54 percent — a significant amount more than those who opposed it in 2015.

According to the Gallup Survey:

• 54 percent oppose nuclear energy, up from 43 percent in 2015.
• 44 percent are in favor of nuclear energy, down from 51 percent in 2015.

The survey notes since gasoline prices have been lower over the past year, Americans are "prioritizing environmental protection and fewer are backing nuclear power as an alternative energy source."

This includes both Democrats and Republicans who surveyed to be less likely to favor nuclear energy.

According to the survey:

• 53 percent of Republicans are in favor of nuclear energy, down from 68 percent in 2015.
• 34 percent of Democrats are in favor of nuclear energy, down from 42 percent in 2015.

Gallup notes the increased opposition to nuclear power does not seem to result from a fear of it — there have been no major nuclear disasters anywhere in the world since 2011 — but rather because of the sharp decline in oil and natural gas prices.

Results for this Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews conducted March 2-6, 2016, with a random sample of 1,019 adults, aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.