Comparing public support for nuclear and wind energy in Washington State

Area of Science:

• Energy Policy
• Public Opinion
• Renewable Energy

Background:

• Growing net zero commitments and energy security concerns drive debate on future energy sources.
• Public energy policy preferences, particularly choices between clean energy types, are under-explored compared to elite discourse.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate public support for nuclear versus wind energy at the state level.
• To determine if proximity to energy facilities influences these preferences.
• To understand how perceived impacts on health, jobs, landscapes, and electricity supply stability shape support.

Main Methods:

• Utilized original survey data from a representative sample of 844 Washington residents.
• Employed multiple regression models with Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) estimation.
• Analyzed the influence of perceived energy source impacts and physical proximity to facilities.

Main Results:

• Physical proximity to existing energy facilities did not significantly influence support for nuclear over wind energy.
• Support for nuclear over wind energy was positively correlated with perceived benefits to landscapes and supply stability.
• Support was negatively correlated with perceived impacts on health and local jobs.

Conclusions:

• Public support for nuclear versus wind energy is driven by perceived attributes of the energy sources, not geographical proximity.
• The importance of these attributes is moderated by the physical proximity to existing energy facilities.
• Findings offer insights into public perception shaping energy policy preferences for clean energy transitions.