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Demystifying nuclear energy

By Gwen Holdmann (UAF/ACEP) and Richelle Johnson (UAA/ UA CED), co-Chairs, �ֻ�ֱ�� State Working Group on Nuclear Energy 
Sept. 15, 2023

Public opinion about nuclear energy is often shaped by big events and popular culture, with many people not feeling they fully understand the topic. Accidents like the Fukushima and Chernobyl disasters leave lasting impressions because of their frightening nature. Debates about how to manage long-term disposal of nuclear waste has encountered strong NIMBY pushback, and left the industry in limbo. And, in many minds the word “nuclear” is intimately connected to weapons, making it difficult to detangle from its association with Hiroshima, or dystopian movies like The Day After. Because of this, opinions about the future role nuclear energy might play as part of our energy mix remain varied, complex, and evolving. 

�ֻ�ֱ��n Perceptions

A recent poll conducted by the �ֻ�ֱ�� Center for Energy and Power at UAF highlights this opinion and information gap. We conducted this poll because the nuclear energy industry is at a critical juncture, having moved away from conventional, large gigawatt-scale reactors to something smaller and inherently safer. These new reactor designs - after decades of development - are now on the verge of commercialization, and �ֻ�ֱ�� has been widely identified as a potential early adopter. Two weeks ago, the Air Force announced its vendor selection for a small pilot reactor at Eielson Air Force Base. If all goes according to plan, this project will be completed in 2027 and will be the first commercial microreactor in the U.S. (though it's worth noting that several demonstration reactors are expected to be tested before that date). 

Despite this momentum, there are many uncertainties related to the timeline for commercialization, cost, regulatory constraints, nuclear fuel supply chain and other factors. One of the biggest unknowns is public awareness and perception, both from the public at large and from �ֻ�ֱ��n energy stakeholders. How do �ֻ�ֱ��ns view nuclear energy, and what shapes their opinions on the matter? What opportunities do they see? What reservations do they have about its implementation? And how do established views on traditional nuclear energy muddle their understanding of newer, advanced nuclear technologies?

Our poll, conducted by Strategies 360, aimed to address these questions. We reached out to 700 registered �ֻ�ֱ��n voters, with an oversampling of Fairbanks residents due to the planned Eielson A.F.B. reactor. This public opinion poll marks the first attempt to measure �ֻ�ֱ��ns' attitudes towards nuclear and various other energy technologies.

The results provided some intriguing insights. A significant takeaway was a general lack of understanding of the difference between traditional nuclear and advanced nuclear, especially microreactors. Of the poll respondents, 71% knew nothing or very little about microreactors. Even though there was a heightened awareness in Fairbanks, the overall understanding remained limited. This limited awareness impacted respondent’s opinions pertaining to nuclear energy, at least in the context of energy solutions for �ֻ�ֱ��.  

When asked about their support for using nuclear energy in �ֻ�ֱ�� without prior context, 48% of respondents expressed support, while 37% were opposed. To better understand how additional information about the technology could influence these levels of support, poll participants were provided with a brief description of microreactors:

After receiving this information, respondents were queried about any change in their level of support. With more information, support for nuclear energy and microreactors in �ֻ�ֱ�� grew an average of 26%, with significant change across all geographic, demographic and political categories. This considerable shift underscores the pivotal role of public education in shaping perceptions and fostering confidence in such technologies.

 

 

The survey also highlighted areas of public concern. The foremost of these was the potential contamination of the environment and water, cited by 79% of respondents, followed closely by waste fuel disposal concerns at 78%. Safety concerns for local communities were also pronounced, with 73% expressing some apprehension. For those who expressed support for the technology, the cost of energy and security of fuel supply lines both stood out, with each concern shared by 64% of these respondents.

One key takeaway is the importance of education, not about what nuclear energy is, necessarily, but how this new generation is different. Information clearly changes public opinion on nuclear energy. However, to be impactful that information should be shared by trusted sources. Among poll respondents, the most trusted sources for information about energy solutions include the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� and local electric utilities.

What’s next?

Public understanding plays a critical role in ensuring informed community consent and fostering comfort with any new technology or project. This requires meeting �ֻ�ֱ��ns where they are - including gauging their current level of awareness and concerns about energy issues broadly. 

As a follow-up, ACEP will be conducting in-depth interviews with key stakeholders. These discussions aim to delve into the nuances of perceptions, potential deployment scenarios, as well as the opportunities and challenges surrounding them. We expect these conversations will provide a richer perspective on what truly resonates with �ֻ�ֱ��ns when it comes to advanced nuclear energy. Armed with this information, we plan to craft a comprehensive communication and education strategy, which will be a cornerstone of the broader �ֻ�ֱ�� Advanced Nuclear Energy Roadmap process.  

Nuclear energy is coming to �ֻ�ֱ��. We can either observe from the sidelines or take an active role in determining how, where, and when this technology can best serve the interests of �ֻ�ֱ��ns. That decision rests with all of us. Our goal is to empower ourselves and fellow �ֻ�ֱ��ns with knowledge, enabling us to make informed decisions about our future energy options grounded in facts and well-informed reasoning. 

Gwen Holdmann is the founding director of the �ֻ�ֱ�� Center for Energy and Power at UAF. She has been researching the potential of nuclear microreactors in �ֻ�ֱ�� for over a decade. is the lead analyst for the University of �ֻ�ֱ�� Center for Economic Development at UAA, and the lead author of a market analysis for microreactors. Access to their reports or information on how to join the state working group is available here.