The Future of Nuclear Power: Value Orientations and Risk Perception

摘要: Since the turn of 21st century, there has been a revival interest in nuclear power. Two decades ago, expansion power United States was halted by widespread public opposition as well rising costs and less than projected increases demand for electricity. Can renewed enthusiasm overcome its history resistance that persisted decades? We propose attitudes toward are function perceived risk, both risk perceptions values, beliefs, trust institutions influence policy. Applying structural equation models to data from U.S. national survey, we find increased governance reduces together higher lower predict positive Trust environmental risks global problems do not Values attitudes: individuals with traditional values have greater support for, while those altruistic to, Nuclear vary gender, age, education, income, or political orientation, though nonwhites more supportive whites. These findings consistent with, provide an explanation long series opinion polls showing ambivalence persists even face policy circles.