Poll shows most Americans want pause on new nuclear plants

A majority of Americans want the United States to tap the brakes on new nuclear power reactors following the crisis in Japan that has focused more attention on the already controversial power source, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

The survey of 814 Americans found 53 percent would support a moratorium on new nuclear reactor construction if the country was able to meet its energy demand through increased efficiency and renewable sources such as wind and solar.

Nearly three-quarters of those polled oppose having taxpayers take on the risk for the construction of new reactors through billions of dollars in new federal loan guarantees.

Instead, most support shifting those dollars to wind and solar power. The poll, which was conducted on March 15 and 16, was done by ORC International for the Civil Society Institute, a Massachusetts-based think tank. Source