Survey finds neighbors support Cooper Nuclear Station in wake of hydrogen leak
A recent survey of 250 people living within 10 miles of Cooper Nuclear Station (CNS) near Brownville, Nebraska, found that most of the participants had a “favorable impression” of the plant, even in the wake of a hydrogen leak recently discovered at the plant.
Bisconti Research, Inc., along with Quest Global Research, conducted the survey to measure the opinions of people living near the plant, which Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) operates.
“Cooper neighbors’ support for the plant exceeds benchmarks from a simultaneous survey of residents within the 10-mile radius of all 59 U.S. nuclear power stations, and results are nearly the same as they were six years ago,” Ann Bisconti, president of Bisconti Research, said. “Ninety-two percent of Cooper’s neighbors have a favorable impression of the plant and the way it has operated recently; 71 percent have a very favorable impression.”
Ninety-four percent of respondents indicated that they are confident in NPPD’s ability to operate a nuclear power plant safely. 93 percent said NPPD is doing a good job of protecting the environment.
Survey participants also reported a favorable attitude toward nuclear energy in general. Eighty-eight percent of CNS neighbors said they favor nuclear energy.
Sixty-one percent of respondents agreed that used fuel is stored safely at the plant, and 80 percent reported that they believe the federal government should develop a final disposal facility that meets U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission requirements.
