Nuclear Energy Support Near Record High in U.S.

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

60% : After two readings when views were divided, in 2019 and 2022, Americans' support for using nuclear energy began to rise.
60% : Public support is weaker for three proposals that President Donald Trump favors for boosting U.S. production of fossil fuels like oil and natural gas.
58% : By 2001, when the question was next asked, views were evenly divided -- yet from 2004 through 2015, public support for the use of nuclear power again outpaced opposition, including a high of 62% in 2010.
56% : A record-high 79% of Republicans now prefer that the U.S. focus on fossil fuels, while just 7% of Democrats and 32% of independents agree.
55% : Meanwhile, concern about energy affordability and availability has declined.
54% : With artificial intelligence data centers on the rise, tech companies are finding that their energy needs will exceed what is available from other energy sources.
54% : While a majority of Americans still prefer that the U.S. focus on renewable energy over fossil fuels, support for renewables is the lowest in the trend, dating back to 2011.
50% : Since 2011, majorities of Americans have consistently favored alternative energy over producing fossil fuels.
50% : Instead, 92% of Democrats and 61% of independents favor an emphasis on alternative energy, compared with 17% of Republicans.
50% : Since 2011, an average 55% of Republicans have favored fossil fuels, while an average 84% of Democrats and 66% of independents have backed alternative energy sources.
47% : More broadly, Gallup has asked Americans since 2011 whether they prefer that the U.S. emphasize production of more oil, gas and coal supplies or the development of alternative energy such as wind and solar power to solve the nation's energy problems.
47% : However, the 56% of U.S. adults now prioritizing alternative energy is a new low point in Gallup's trend and well below the 73% high recorded in 2016 and 2018.
44% : The public's continued general preference for developing alternative energy may help explain its tepid support for fracking and offshore drilling, as well as outright opposition to ANWR oil exploration.

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