British Public Supports Nuclear

A November poll for Britain's Nuclear Industry Association found that a majority (59 percent) of the British public expects nuclear energy to be a key component of the future U.K. energy mix.

This comes on the heels of Prime Minister Tony Blair's announcement that Britain is launching a wide-ranging review of the country’s energy policy, including nuclear’s role in the nation’s power portfolio.

The survey indicates increased support for building new nuclear plants to replace those that are nearing the end of their operational lifetimes. About 41 percent favor new-plant construction — up from 35 percent a year ago — while only 28 percent oppose such action, compared to 30 percent last December.

The percentage of the public that views nuclear as a key secure and reliable energy source for the future grew from 28 percent to 33 percent. In contrast, the number of people who favor gas, oil or coal dropped significantly.

Click here for the survey's key findings, and here for the entire report.