B I S C O N T I R E S E A R C H , I N C .
5 5 3 0 G R E Y S T O N E S T R E E T C H E V Y C H A S E , M D 2 0 8 1 5
T E L : 3 0 1 . 6 5 7 . 5 5 5 6 F A X : 3 0 1 . 6 5 7 . 5 5 4 4 http://www.bisconti.com
Source: Bisconti Research, Inc. with Quest Global Research. 1,000 interviews of nationally representative U.S. adults March 11-April 11, 2016, (500 landline and cell phone and 500 from Quest Mindshare online panel) margin of error is plus or minus three percentage points.
Hello, my name is _______________ calling on behalf of Quest Research. We are conducting a public opinion survey across the US, and this number was selected at random. I assure you that your opinions are completely confidential and this is not a sales call.
Numbers may add from 98-102 due to rounding.
1.
RECORD
Online : Are you…?
Male
Female
48
52
Reached on Landline
Reached on Cell phone
65
35
2.
Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as…?
Online: Generally speaking, do you usually think of yourself as…? Select one answer
A Democrat
An Independent
Republican
Or something else (specify)
(None of the above)
(Don’t know/no answer)
3.
Is your age…?
Online: Is your age…? Select one answer
18 to 24
34
25
31
2
5
3
25 to 34
35 to 49
50 to 64
65 or older
(Don’t know/no answer)
10
21
22
25
22
0
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4.
Is your ethnicity…?
Online: Is your ethnicity…? Select one answer
Hispanic
Native American
African-American
Asian
Caucasian or White
Other
(Don’t know/no answer)
6
2
9
4
75
4
1
5.
Thinking about the energy sources we use to make electricity, how important is it to maintain a diversity of energy sources to supply our nation’s electricity? Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
Online: Thinking about the energy sources we use to make electricity, how important is it to maintain a diversity of energy sources to supply our nation’s electricity? Is it very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all? Select one answer
95
4
Important
Not Important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not important at all
(Don’t know)
69
27
2
1
1
6.
How important do you think nuclear energy will be in meeting this nation’s electricity needs in the years ahead? Do you think nuclear energy will be very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all?
Online: How important do you think nuclear energy will be in meeting this nation’s electricity needs in the years ahead? Do you think nuclear energy will be very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all? Select one answer
Important 77
18 Not important
Very important 33
Somewhat important
Not too important
Not important at all
(Don’t know)
44
12
6
5
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7.
Please tell me if you personally strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements. How about…do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with that statement? ( REPEAT AS NEEDED ).
Online: Please indicate if you personally strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree or strongly disagree with the following statements. Select one answer for each statement
TOTAL
AGREE
When their current operating license expires, we should renew
Strongly Somewhat
Agree Agree
Somewhat
Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Don’t
Know the license of nuclear power plants that continue to meet federal safety standards. 82
Electric utilities should prepare now so that new nuclear power plants could be built if needed in
43 40 8 6 4 the next decade.
We should definitely build more nuclear power plants in the future.
73
58
34
24
39
33
12
18
10
17
5
7
8.
Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States?
Online: Overall, do you strongly favor, somewhat favor, somewhat oppose, or strongly oppose the use of nuclear energy as one of the ways to provide electricity in the United States? Select one answer
67
29
FAVOR
OPPOSE
Strongly favor
Somewhat favor
Somewhat oppose
Strongly oppose
(Don’t know)
26
42
18
11
4
9.
Do you think that the majority of people in your community favor or oppose the use of nuclear energy?
Online: Do you think that the majority of people in your community favor or oppose the use of nuclear energy?
Select one answer
Favor
Oppose
29
39
(Other: specify)
(Don’t know)
2
30
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10.
Do you feel very well informed, somewhat well informed, not too well informed, or not well informed at all about nuclear energy used to produce electricity?
Online: Do you feel very well informed, somewhat well informed, not too well informed, or not well informed at all about nuclear energy used to produce electricity? Select one answer
Informed 62
37 Not informed
Very well informed 21
Somewhat well informed
Not too well informed
Not well informed at all
42
26
11
(Don’t know) 1
11.
Do you associate nuclear energy a lot, a little, or not at all with… RANDOMIZE
Online: Do you associate nuclear energy a lot, a little, or not at all with… RANDOMIZE Select one answer for each item
Advanced technology
A
Lot
48
A
Little
33
Not
At All
13
Don’t
Know
6
Reliable electricity
Electricity source of the future
Clean air
Innovation
Affordable electricity
Job creation
Economic growth
Climate change solution
44
39
39
38
36
35
32
27
38
38
30
40
38
43
44
32
12
18
24
15
16
17
19
32
7
5
7
7
10
5
6
9
12.
Thinking about the nuclear power plants that are operating now, how safe do you regard these plants? Please think of a scale from “1” to “7,” where “1” means very unsafe and “7” means very safe. The safer you think they are, the higher the number you would give.
Online: Thinking about the nuclear power plants that are operating now, how safe do you regard these plants?
Please select one number on a scale from “1” to “7,” where “1” means very unsafe and “7” means very safe . The safer you think they are, the higher the number you would give.
High safety rating (5-7) 55
7 – Very safe
6
5
Middle (4)
3
2
1 – Very unsafe
Low safety rating (1-3)
(Don’t know)
12
19
25
18
13
6
7
25
3
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13.
Please tell me if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements. READ IN THIS ORDER
Online: Please indicate if you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements. Select one answer for each statement
TOTAL
AGREE
Strongly
Agree
Somewhat Somewhat
Agree Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
Don’t
Know
As countries around the world build new nuclear power plants, it is important for the U.S. nuclear industry to continue to play a leading role in world markets.
Nuclear power plants operating in the United States are safe and secure.
76
69
42
23
34
46
12
16
8
9
4
7
We should take advantage of all low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy, to produce the electricity we need while limiting greenhouse gas emissions. 82 48 34 8 5 5
14.
Nuclear energy produces 63% of low-carbon electricity in the United States. And given that nuclear energy is the only electricity source that provides both clean air and continuous 24-7 electricity, do you think nuclear energy should be very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all in the future?
Online: Nuclear energy produces 63% of low-carbon electricity in the United States. And given that nuclear energy is the only electricity source that provides both clean air and continuous 24-7 electricity, do you think nuclear energy should be very important, somewhat important, not too important, or not important at all in the future? Select one answer
Important
Not important
Very important
Somewhat important
Not too important
86
13
43
43
6
6
2
Not important at all
(Don’t know)
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15.
On the subject of nuclear waste management and specifically the management of the spent nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power plants, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements? How about…do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with that statement? REPEAT AS NEEDED .
Online: On the subject of nuclear waste management and specifically the management of the spent nuclear fuel rods from nuclear power plants, do you strongly agree, somewhat agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree with the following statements? Select one answer for each statement
TOTAL Strongly Somewhat Somewhat Strongly
Agree Agree Disagree Disagree
Spent nuclear fuel rods can be managed safely in facilities that
AGREE
Don’t
Know meet U.S. Nuclear Regulatory
Commission regulations.
Spent nuclear fuel rods are safely stored at the nuclear power plant sites.
The federal government should develop a final disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel rods at
Yucca Mountain in Nevada, as long as the facility meets U.S.
Nuclear Regulatory Commission
67
56
24
17
43
39
13
16
10
13
10
15 regulations.
The United States should pursue a nuclear waste storage policy
69 that includes centralized storage for spent nuclear fuel rods on a temporary basis while independent federal regulators approve a final disposal facility site and the facility is being built.
73
34
34
35
39
10
9
9
8
12
10
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16.
I’ll read some topics about nuclear energy. Please tell me if you have heard or read any information on the topic in the past year—that is, during the past year but before this interview. Just say yes or no. How about…
RANDOMIZE
Online: Below are some topics about nuclear energy. Select yes or no for each topic to indicate whether you have heard or read any information on the topic in the past year—that is, during the past year but before today . RANDOMIZE
Don’t
Yes
54
No
39
Know
7 Safety of nuclear power plants
52 41 7 Clean air benefits of nuclear energy
Reliability of nuclear power plants
Using nuclear energy as a way to fight global warming and climate change
49
49
44
44
7
7
46 6 The need to build more nuclear power plants in the U.S. 48
Using nuclear energy to grow the economy and create jobs 46
A company’s decision to close a nuclear power plant 34
New nuclear power plants being built now in the United
States
Small nuclear power plant designs as a new technology option
32
31
47
58
60
61
7
9
8
8
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Online QA: Please read this statement and answer both a. and b . Nuclear power plants historically offer lowcost electricity at a stable, predictable price because they use very little fuel. However, when the price of natural gas is very low, as it is now, the market price for electricity is set below the cost of electricity from nuclear power plants. Thus, some well-performing nuclear power plants are being shut down and more are at risk of early closure. Shutting down a nuclear power plant prematurely results in the loss of electricity for nearly three-quarters of a million homes and businesses, the loss of hundreds to more than 1,000 jobs, and the loss of a zero-carbon clean-air electricity source at a time when we are dedicated to reducing greenhouse gases. Sooner or later, new power plants will need to be built to replace the electricity lost by shutting down nuclear power plants. The new power plants likely will be fueled by natural gas, and the price of natural gas fluctuates widely and is unpredictable in the long run. A natural gas-fired power plant provides far fewer jobs and has about half the carbon emissions of a coal plant. a. Select the solutions you agree with. You may select more than one answer.
Set the cost of electricity to consumers at the lowest level possible that also preserves existing nuclear power plants and other alternatives to natural gas. 50
Treat nuclear power plants like solar, wind, and other zero-carbon sources in the energy portfolio with the same financial incentives to ensure a diverse clean-air energy mix.
Offer tax benefits to companies that keep their nuclear
50 power plants operating when the cost of producing electricity is greater than the market price. 38
Provide no assistance, let the nuclear power plants shut down if they can’t compete, and deal with the consequences later. 12 b. Select any of the following that seem to you to be good reasons to provide assistance to preserve existing nuclear power plants. You may select more than one answer.
Preserve thousands of jobs. 62
Keep a large-scale source of zero-carbon electricity. 47
Avoid a rate hike that will come when a new plant has to replace the lost electricity.
Shutting down a well-performing power plant is a waste of an important part of the energy infrastructure.
45
41
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17.
Please say yes or no to the following, based on the best of your knowledge.
Online: Please select yes or no to each of the following , to the best of your knowledge.
Yes No
91 8 You are registered to vote.
You have visited a nuclear power plant or a nuclear power plant energy education center. 18 81
54 40 You consider yourself an environmentalist.
You participate in the survivalist movement.
18.
And are your political views…
13 81
Online: Are your political views…? Select one answer
Very conservative
Somewhat conservative
Moderate
Somewhat liberal
Very liberal
(Don’t know)
Some college, associate degree
Graduated college, bachelor’s degree
Graduate school
(Don’t know, no answer)
15
24
34
15
9
4
19.
What was the highest level of school you completed?
Online: What was the highest level of school you completed? Select one answer
Some high school or less
Graduated high school
Technical/vocational school
4
19
5
32
28
13
<1
1
20.
What is your best guess of the total annual income of your total household, is it…?
Online: Your best guess of the total annual income of your total household… Select one answer
Less than $20,000
$20,000 to $29,999
10
10
$30,000 to $39,999
$40,000 to $49,999
$50,000 to $74,999
$75,000 to $99,999
$100,000 or more
(Don’t know, no answer)
Thank you!
10
10
20
14
16
9
Don’t know
1
1
6
6
1
<1 means less than half a percent
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