Build more nuclear plants? Californians divided

SAN FRANCISCO
July 28, 2010 9:01pm

Californians are divided (49 percent oppose, 44 percent favor) about building more nuclear power plants at this time to address the country's energy needs and reduce dependence on foreign oil sources, according to a statewide survey by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California.

On this question, partisan differences emerge: 57 percent of Democrats are opposed, while 67 percent of Republicans and half of independents (51 percent) favor building more plants now.


There is considerably more consensus on two other policies. To address the country's energy needs and reduce dependence on foreign oil sources, overwhelming majorities favor increasing federal funding to develop wind, solar, and hydrogen technology (83 percent), and favor requiring automakers to significantly improve the fuel efficiency of cars sold in this country (83 percent).

Strong majorities across parties, regions, and demographic groups hold these views, PPIC says.

Methodology

The PPIC survey was done with funding from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Findings are based on a telephone survey of 2,502 California adult residents reached by landline and cell phones throughout the state. Interviews took place from July 6–20, and were conducted in English, Spanish, Chinese (Mandarin or Cantonese), Vietnamese, and Korean. The sampling error is ±2 percent for all adults, ±2.2 percent for the 1,971 registered voters, and ±2.7 percent for the 1,321 likely voters.